EU Budget Shake-Up Irish Presidency Cuts €141 Billion From Commission Proposal

Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne presented a revised negotiating box for the EU’s next seven-year budget, calling it a major step toward reaching an agreement before the end of the year. The Irish Presidency proposes €141 billion in savings compared with the European Commission’s original proposal, equivalent to an 8% reduction. Despite those savings, the overall MFF would still be significantly larger than the current long-term EU budget. The compromise aims to protect traditional priorities such as the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion while shifting substantially more resources toward competitiveness, research, innovation, security and defence. The revised negotiating box includes more than €400 billion in European competitiveness funding. “This revision sees the competitiveness heading more than double compared to the current MFF.” Funding for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction is retained, together with €25 billion ring-fenced for humanitarian assistance. The Irish Presidency is also proposing a new own-resources package capable of raising around €55 billion per year. That includes a higher CBAM contribution to the EU budget and a progressive phase-in of ETS revenues. The proposal is not the final agreement. EU governments and leaders will now continue negotiations with the aim of reaching a deal before the end of the year. #eudebates #EUBudget #MFF #EuropeanUnion #Competitiveness