Ireland Proposes €141 Billion Cut to Next EU Budget as Germany-Led Bloc Presses for More
Ireland has proposed EU budget cuts worth €141 billion in the bloc's next seven-year spending plan. The draft falls short of what Germany and its allies have demanded. At least one of them has already criticised it.
Ireland currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. Its draft compromise, known as the negotiating box, was circulated on 10 October. It sets spending for 2028–2034 at €1,622 billion in 2025 prices. That is 8% below the European Commission's proposal and still 30% above the current budget. In current prices, the total is about €1,825 billion.
Where the cuts fall
Most of the reduction lands on competitiveness and overseas cooperation. Funding for competitiveness, research and defence would fall 13% to €456 billion. The Global Europe programme, which finances cooperati...