World · Europe · 1 day ago
Ireland proposes 8% cut to EU budget for 2028-2034
Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, has proposed an 8% cut to the bloc’s budget for 2028-2034.
The plan would set the budget at about €1.62 trillion, down from the European Commission’s proposal of about €1.76 trillion in 2025 prices.
The budget funds major EU policies across its 27 member states.
Ireland proposes smaller cuts to agriculture and regional development than to areas such as competitiveness, security and research.
Countries that contribute more to the budget, including Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, say the reduction does not go far enough.
Other governments, including Spain and Italy, want agriculture and regional development to remain central priorities.
EU leaders are due to discuss the proposal in Brussels on October 15 and 16, but all 27 member states must approve the final budget.
The aim is to reach a political agreement by the end of the year.
Ireland proposed cutting the European Union’s 2028-2034 budget by 8%, to €1.62 trillion in 2025 prices.
The proposal is €141 billion below the European Commission’s plan, while remaining 30% above the current budget, according to CNN Brasil.
The largest reductions target competitiveness and security, while agriculture and regional development spending would be cut by 3% against the Commission’s figures.
Northern EU countries say the reduction is not large enough, while countries in the Friends of Cohesion group want agriculture and cohesion funding protected.
EU leaders are due to discuss the proposal in Brussels on October 15 and 16, with a budget agreement sought before the end of the year.
- Who
- Ireland, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency, proposed the budget cut.
- What
- An 8% reduction to the EU’s 2028-2034 budget, bringing it to €1.62 trillion in 2025 prices.
- When
- October 10, 2026.
- Where
- The proposal concerns the European Union budget; EU leaders are due to discuss it in Brussels.
- Why
- Ireland said the proposal aims to bridge differences among member states and balance new priorities with established policies.
Northern EU countries seeking deeper cuts
Friends of Cohesion seeking to protect agriculture and regional development
Overall budget
Northern EU countries seeking deeper cuts
They say the proposed 8% cut is insufficient and want reductions of several hundred billion euros.
Friends of Cohesion seeking to protect agriculture and regional development
They say the budget should preserve agriculture and cohesion as central priorities.
Spending priorities
Northern EU countries seeking deeper cuts
They oppose a budget that they say remains too large, and some object to cuts being concentrated on priorities such as security and competitiveness.
Friends of Cohesion seeking to protect agriculture and regional development
They oppose deeper cuts to agricultural and cohesion funding.
In our opinion, the negotiating table serves to bridge the many differences between member states
The EU budget must be affordable for those who bear the main burden of its financing
The Netherlands cannot accept this proposal
preserve Agriculture and Cohesion as central priorities
Ireland presented its proposed 8% cut to the EU budget for 2028-2034.
Ireland is due to present the budget figures to EU European affairs ministers for an initial discussion.
EU leaders are due to discuss Ireland’s proposal in Brussels.
The European Council is due to hold an extraordinary meeting to advance the negotiations.
El Mundo reported that the final EU summit of the year is scheduled, with the aim of closing the budget deal.
- Proposed reduction
- 8%, or €141 billion below the Commission proposal in 2025 prices
- Proposed budget
- €1.62 trillion in 2025 prices
- Agriculture and regional development
- 3% cut against the Commission’s figures
- Competitiveness fund
- 11% cut
- Leaders’ discussion
- Brussels, October 15-16, 2026
Sources
Presidência irlandesa da UE quer corte de 8% no orçamento para 2028-2034
Irlanda propone recortar un 8% el presupuesto de la UE para 2028-2034
La UE asume los recortes en su próximo presupuesto ante las exigencias alemanas
EU's Irish presidency wants 8% cut to proposed 2028-2034 budget plan
La presidencia irlandesa se acerca a los frugales y se aleja de España al proponer un recorte en el próximo presupuesto de la UE de más de 140.000 millones
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