The President of the European Parliament calls on EU leaders for a larger long-term budget and warns that cuts could affect European priorities

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Thursday called on EU leaders, meeting at the autumn European Council, to support a multiannual budget for 2028–2034 that matches Europe’s objectives in competitiveness, security and EU enlargement.

Metsola warned that the revised proposal by the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU risks upsetting the balance between traditional policies and new priorities. Ireland has proposed cuts of €140 billion compared with the European Commission’s initial version, particularly affecting competitiveness funds and development aid.

The EP president said that introducing new own resources could facilitate an agreement by financing European priorities without placing additional pressure on national budgets. The European Parliament had previously called for an increase of approximately 10% compared with the Commission’s July 2025 proposal and proposed taxes on digital services, online gambling, carbon and crypto-asset gains.

Metsola reaffirmed her support for Ukraine, welcomed the opening of new negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova, and called for stronger cooperation with Canada and the United Kingdom. In relations with China, she supported using trade instruments against unfair economic practices. Adoption of the budget requires the approval of the European Parliament by an absolute majority.