The European Union’s budget talks have officially started as ministers for European affairs met in Brussels to discuss Ursula von der Leyen’s proposed €2 trillion budget. The plan, unveiled earlier this week, requires unanimity from all 27 member states and has sparked criticism over its size.
The budget is expected to be funded through a combination of national contributions and EU-wide taxes, including new levies on electronic waste, tobacco products, and companies with high annual turnover. However, some countries, such as Finland and Sweden, have already opposed the idea of introducing these new taxes, citing concerns about their impact on national budgets.
Austria’s Claudia Plakolm said the proposed budget was “too far” from a position her country could endorse, while Spain’s Fernando Sampedro argued that the €2 trillion size did not measure up to the challenges facing the bloc. Germany has also rejected the idea of issuing new common debt.
The EU Commission believes that boosting own resources will allow it to cover COVID-era repayments without asking member states for extra cash or sacrificing strategic programs. However, governments have traditionally opposed this move due to concerns about limiting their ability to collect revenue independently.
Ministers agreed that Europe needs a budget, but there is significant disagreement over its structure and funding. The Danish presidency has promised to finalize a “nego-box” by the end of the year, outlining the core principles for negotiations over the next two years. The talks are expected to be long and difficult, with different views on how to balance competing priorities.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/fault-lines-emerge-as-eu-countries-begin-political-battle-over-2-trillion-budget