German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has blocked the European Commission’s proposed €2 trillion budget plan, citing concerns over Germany’s contributions to the EU. The proposal would have made Germany pay about a quarter of the total spending. This move is seen as a significant departure from previous strategies aimed at positioning Germany as a leader in Europe.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/merz-balks-at-eu-plan-to-splurge-half-a-trillion-of-german-money?embedded-checkout=true