EU Budget: Commission and Parliament Should Prioritize Savings Over Spending
This opinion piece criticizes the European Commission and the European Parliament for proposing significant increases in the EU budget for the 2028-2035 period, rather than focusing on necessary austerity measures. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a two trillion euro budget, representing 1.26 percent of economic output, which the Parliament seeks to increase by another eleven percent to 2.2 trillion euros. The article argues that despite claims of new challenges, such as geopolitical conflicts and the need for competitiveness, the EU does not require additional funds. Instead, it suggests that substantial savings could be achieved by reducing misdirected agricultural aid and scaling back cohesion funds, which currently consume forty percent of the budget. The author also opposes the creation of new debt funds and the addition of 2,500 new Commission jobs. The piece urges member states, particularly Germany, to lead a coalition of thrifty nations to enforce sensible budgetary policies. It contends that the current spending proposals ignore the financial strain on member states and rely on repetitive arguments about crises to justify excessive expenditure, calling for a shift towards fiscal restraint and efficiency within EU institutions.
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EU Budget: Commission and Parliament Should Prioritize Savings Over Spending
This opinion piece criticizes the European Commission and the European Parliament for proposing significant increases in the EU budget for the 2028-2035 period, rather than focusing on necessary austerity measures. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a two trillion euro budget, representing 1.26 percent of economic output, which the Parliament seeks to increase by another eleven percent to 2.2 trillion euros. The article argues that despite claims of new challenges, such as geopolitical conflicts and the need for competitiveness, the EU does not require additional funds. Instead, it suggests that substantial savings could be achieved by reducing misdirected agricultural aid and scaling back cohesion funds, which currently consume forty percent of the budget. The author also opposes the creation of new debt funds and the addition of 2,500 new Commission jobs. The piece urges member states, particularly Germany, to lead a coalition of thrifty nations to enforce sensible budgetary policies. It contends that the current spending proposals ignore the financial strain on member states and rely on repetitive arguments about crises to justify excessive expenditure, calling for a shift towards fiscal restraint and efficiency within EU institutions.
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