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EU member states clash over 2028–2034 budget priorities
A significant divide has emerged within the European Union regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034. A coalition of 17 member states, known as the ‘Friends of Cohesion’ and coordinated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Romanian President Nicușor Dan, has issued a formal letter to the Irish presidency of the Council.
The 17 nations, including Spain, Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria, demand that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and regional cohesion policies be preserved. They argue that cutting these essential funds could undermine public support for the European project.
In opposition, a group of six countries led by Germany—including the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and Finland—is calling for fundamental reforms. This group advocates for cutting hundreds of billions of euros from the proposed €2 trillion budget, suggesting that resources should be redirected from agriculture and regional support toward defense, competitiveness, and innovation.
The dispute comes as the Irish presidency prepares to present its negotiation proposal. An informal meeting of the 17 countries is scheduled to take place during the European Council summit on October 15 and 16 in Brussels.
Entities
European Commission · European Union · Giorgia Meloni · Micheál Martin · Nicușor Dan
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The 17 signatory countries include Spain, Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria www.moncloa.com · fakti.bg · www.vesti.bg
- [DISPUTED] The 17 countries demand that funding for the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion policy be preserved in the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework www.moncloa.com · www.rt.com · fakti.bg · www.upday.com · www.vesti.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Irish presidency of the Council must present a negotiation proposal known as the 'combo box' soon www.moncloa.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The EU budget requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states www.rt.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The German-led group of six countries wants to cut the EU budget by hundreds of billions of euros www.rt.com · fakti.bg · www.upday.com · www.vesti.bg
- [● 4 SOURCES] The six countries propose redirecting funds from agriculture and regional support toward defense, competitiveness, and innovation www.rt.com · fakti.bg · www.upday.com · www.vesti.bg