EU budget: Ireland pitches €141bn cuts to appease the ‘frugals’

What happened: Ireland, holding the EU rotating presidency, proposed cutting the next long-term EU budget by €141bn, an 8% reduction, to win over the Germany-led frugal countries. EU leaders discuss it on 15-16 October. Key numbers: Overall volume €1,622bn in 2025 prices, 8% below the Commission proposal and 30% above the current MFF, about €1,825bn in current Why it matters: The negotiating box aims to bridge member state differences before a political agreement targeted for the end of the year. Sweden's EU affairs minister called the volume unreasonable, saying an agreement is far off.

Ireland, holding the EU rotating presidency, proposed cutting the next long-term EU budget by €141bn, an 8% reduction, to win over the Germany-led frugal countries. EU leaders discuss it on 15-16 October.

The negotiating box aims to bridge member state differences before a political agreement targeted for the end of the year. Sweden's EU affairs minister called the volume unreasonable, saying an agreement is far off.