14 EU governments, including Romania, are contesting Ursula von der Leyen's proposed reform of regional funds, calling for a robust budget for poorer regions.

Most EU countries, including Italy, Spain, Poland, Romania and Italy, have criticized the reform of regional funds proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In a letter, they stress the need for a separate budget to ensure cohesion between EU regions. Opposition targets the plan to merge agricultural and regional funds, fearing this will reduce regions' power to manage local funding. Critics suggest the reform could lead to a smaller and more limited budget after 2027.