German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for substantial cuts in the European Union budget for the period 2028-2034, rejecting the current proposals.

The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a significant reduction in the European Union budget for the period 2028-2034, during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin. Merz emphasized the need for cuts in all areas, stating that the current proposals from the European Commission are unacceptable.

The EU budget, set for seven years, is a politically sensitive issue, and Germany, as the largest economy in the EU, contributes significantly. The Commission proposes a budget of approximately 1.76 trillion euros, intended for various projects, but Merz has rejected both this proposal and a compromise option with minimal cuts. Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, will present a new compromise proposal in October, in an attempt to reach an agreement by the end of the year. The divergent positions of the member states complicate negotiations, and reaching a consensus is considered ambitious.