EU leaders clash over €2 trillion budget ahead of elections

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

EU leaders are negotiating a nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, hoping to agree by Christmas before elections that could strengthen eurosceptic parties.

EU leaders gathered on Thursday for crunch talks on the bloc's nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, with deep divisions over spending threatening to derail a Christmas deadline for agreement.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that leaders were still 'very far apart' as negotiations began. The 27-nation union is racing to secure a deal before next year's French presidential election, concerned that potential eurosceptic wins in upcoming polls across the bloc could make future negotiations impossible. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson voiced strong opposition to the current proposal, telling reporters it was 'far too big, far too expensive' and would increase Sweden's net contribution by almost 60 per cent. Sweden is among about 10 net contributing countries that pay more into the EU budget than they receive in allocations.

The proposal has also drawn criticism from Marine Le Pen, the frontrunner in France's presidential election. She has called it a 'democratic scandal' to adopt a budget before voters head to the polls and wants to reduce France's contribution to the EU budget. The 2028–2034 budget is expected to amount to between 1 and 1.2 per cent of the bloc's gross national income, financed mostly by member states based on the size of their economies.

How it is being reported

• EU leaders push back on a major budget proposal, putting a deal by end of the year in doubtEuropean Union leaders are voicing strong opposition to a new proposal for the bloc’s long-term budgetIndependent World · 15 Oct, 13:38
• EU leaders head for showdown over bloc long-term budgetEU leaders on Thursday head for their biggest clash yet over the bloc's next long-term budget, as they race to lock in a deal before next year's French presidential election. The 27-nation European Union wants an agreement by Christmas, worried that any future dealmaking will be derailed by potential eurosceptic wins in polls taking place across the bloc -- most crucially in key power France. FRANCE 24's Dave Keating reports from Brussels, Belgium.France 24 · 15 Oct, 11:09
• EU leaders head into high-stakes budget battle as elections loomEU leaders head to a summit on Thursday seeking a deal on the bloc’s nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028-2034 by Christmas amid deep divisions over spending and fears that upcoming elections, particularly in France, could strengthen eurosceptic forces.France 24 · 15 Oct, 07:03
• EU leaders head into high-stakes budget battle as elections loomEU leaders head to a summit on Thursday seeking a deal on the bloc’s nearly €2 trillion budget for 2028-2034 by Christmas, amid deep divisions over spending and fears that upcoming elections, particularly in France, could strengthen eurosceptic forces.France 24 · 15 Oct, 02:59

In this story: European Union · Friedrich Merz · Germany · France · Ulf Kristersson · Sweden · Marine Le Pen

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