The big crack in the European Union: six countries issue an ultimatum to Brussels

The six largest contributing countries in the European Union are threatening to block the multi-year budget for 2028–2034, demanding cuts of hundreds of billions of euros and a dramatic shift in Brussels' priorities, redirecting resources to security, economic competitiveness, and immigration control at the expense of agricultural subsidies and regional development.

The six largest contributing countries in the European Union – Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, and Denmark – are threatening to block the multi-year budget for 2028–2034. They demand cuts of hundreds of billions of euros and a dramatic shift in Brussels' priorities, redirecting resources to security, economic competitiveness, innovation, and immigration control, at the expense of traditional expenditures such as agricultural subsidies and regional development funds. In contrast, about 17 countries, including Spain and Italy, seek to maintain or even increase funding for agriculture and regional development, fearing the changes will harm farmers and developing regions. Some support joint European debt issuance and new taxes, proposals that face opposition from the contributing countries. A diplomat involved in the negotiations warned that without cuts of hundreds of billions of euros, no agreement will be reached this year. The threat is particularly significant because budget approval requires unanimous consent from all 27 member states, along with approval from the European Parliament. Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, must broker a compromise ahead of the EU leaders' summit on October 15 and 16.