BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Following are some reactions to the European Commission’s proposal on Wednesday for a 2 trillion euro ($2.31 trillion) EU budget for 2028-2034. The proposal places a new emphasis on economic competitiveness and defence while aiming to reform the rules around farm and economic development subsidies.
An agreement on the new EU budget requires backing from all 27 member countries and sign-off from the European Parliament.
SWEDISH GOVERNMENT, IN A STATEMENT
“We can never accept that common EU funds go to countries that don’t respect basic democratic principles and European values”
“We won’t solve the EU’s problems with a bigger budget and increased EU contributions, rather through using current resources in a smarter way and putting money where it is really needed.”
HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN
“Brussels’ proposal can be summed up as a pro-Ukrainian budget, and its aim is clear as day: to send the money of the European people to Ukraine. This Brussels plan is weak even as a basis for negotiation, and we suggest that it be withdrawn and a new one drawn up, not in the interests of (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy and Ukraine, but in the interests of the people of Europe and European farmers.”
DUTCH FINANCE MINISTER EELCO HEINEN,
“The proposed budget is too high. We should not always focus solely on how the EU can spend more, but rather on how existing funds can be spent better”
“This requires tough choices. The financial contribution of the Netherlands to the EU is already significant. We therefore want to see an improvement in our net payment position … As far as the Netherlands is concerned, new instruments for joint debt are therefore not on the table.”
FRANCE’S EUROPE MINISTER, BENJAMIN HADAD
“I welcome the ambition for the new multiannual financial framework presented today by the European Commission”
“I will be … in Brussels on Friday to defend our priorities: the rearmament of the European continent, supporting our competitiveness and technological sovereignty, the income of our farmers, and the creation of our own resources.”
EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT, ANTONIO COSTA
“I welcome the presentation of the proposal on the EU long-term budget by the European Commission, a step which will allow the Council to start working. A budget is not just about numbers— it is the ultimate political decision, a choice about our future, and we need to approach this debate with an open mind and spirit of collective responsibility.”
LEAD MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: SIEGFRIED MURESAN, CARLA TAVARES, SANDRA GOMEZ LOPEZ AND DANUSE NERUDOVA
“This draft budget does not leave sufficient funds for critical priorities including competitiveness, cohesion, agriculture, defence, climate adaptation and the investment necessary for a sustainable economy that works for all.”
“Parliament stands ready to use all its powers to their full extent to ensure that the next long-term budget matches the Union’s ambitions and challenges.”
LINDA KALCHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PAN-EUROPEAN THINK TANK STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVES, ON CLIMATE BUDGET
“The inclusion of a 35% climate mainstreaming in the new budget shows the Commission is still serious about supporting decarbonisation efforts across the continent… This is essential to make the 90% climate target by 2040 achievable. It is however a wasted opportunity not to strictly exclude fossil fuel funding from the budget.”
FAUSTINE BAS-DEFOSSEZ, POLICY DIRECTOR AT EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU
“A long-term budget based on short-term thinking is a dangerous mistake. There is no competitiveness, security or prosperity on a dead planet. This isn’t just about repealing and merging what’s left of LIFE into a catch-all fund – it’s about dismantling Europe’s only dedicated tool for nature and climate action.”
ANOUK PUYMARTIN, HEAD OF POLICY, BIRDLIFE EUROPE
“This is a devastating blow for European citizens. We are facing a worsening nature and climate crisis, and the proposed long-term EU budget offers no clear path to tackle it. Worse, biodiversity is losing its place in the EU budget with no dedicated funding or clear prioritisation.”
NGO EUROPEAN NETWORK ON DEBT AND DEVELOPMENT (EURODAD)
“The restructuring of the budget puts at risk the EU’s central role in fighting poverty, responding to global crises, and supporting those living in the Global South. The Commission is proposing to merge existing external action instruments into one called Global Europe. This move increases the risk that funding is diverted to serve short-term political gains, rather than used to tackle poverty and inequalities.”
COPA-COGECA, ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING NATIONAL FARMERS’ AND COOPERATIVES’ ASSOCIATIONS
“Unprecedented budget cuts, the dissolution of the two pillars, a loss of communality and the Commission’s disengagement from its historic agricultural policy, can they be interpreted as anything else than a message of abandonment, indifference, and lack of strategic priority for agriculture and rural communities? With the looming Mercosur deal how can the
European Commission expect to still be heard and trusted by the agricultural community in the years ahead?”
ARNAUD ROUSSEAU, HEAD OF FRANCE’S BIGGEST FARMING UNION FNSEA
“Madame President, your budget and CAP proposal are nothing more or less than a provocation towards the agricultural world. Rethink your approach! There will be no rise in Europe’s power without food rearmament!”
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Kate Abnett, Simon Johnson, Anita Komuves, Sybille de La HamaideEditing by Frances Kerry, Aidan Lewis)
