Germany opposes the draft European Union budget for the seven-year period from 2028, presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Politico reports, News.bg reports.
“A comprehensive increase in the EU budget is unacceptable at a time when all member states are making serious efforts to stabilize their national finances. This means that we cannot support the European Commission's proposal“, said Stefan Cornelius, spokesman for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government.
Berlin also does not support the proposal for new taxes on businesses. “We need to maintain the Commission's reformist course and direct the budget towards the priorities of the future. This is the right way to make Europe stronger," Cornelius added.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly stressed that Germany's position is that EU spending should become more efficient, rather than increasing the overall budget.
The draft budget proposed by the European Commission amounts to 1.816 trillion euros for the period 2028-2034, a significant increase compared to the current budget, which has been in effect since 2021.
To cover part of the debts accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic — estimated at 25 to 30 billion euros per year — The Commission proposes the introduction of three new taxes: on e-waste, tobacco products and large corporate turnover.
The budget must be approved by all EU member states and the European Parliament by the end of 2027.