Chancellor Merz's spokesman says substantial increase in EU budget for 2028-2034 ‘unreasonable' at a time when all member states are tightening their national budgets
The German government on Wednesday rejected the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion ($2.33 trillion) EU budget for 2028-2034.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesman described the suggested increase of approximately €700 billion as "unreasonable" during a time when all member states are tightening their national budgets.
“Therefore, we will not be able to accept the Commission's proposal. We also do not support the additional taxation of companies proposed by the European Commission,” Stefan Kornelius said in a statement Wednesday night.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the €2 trillion budget plan earlier in the day. She called it "a budget for a new era" that matches Europe's ambition, confronts its challenges, and strengthens its independence.
The proposal will now require negotiation with both the European Parliament and EU member states before approval. For the EU budget to be adopted, the European Parliament must approve it by a majority vote, and all EU member states, acting through the Council, must unanimously agree to its adoption.
