16 EU Countries Urge Bigger 2028-2034 Cohesion Funds as Budget Share Drops to 44%
Updated
Updated · Euronews · May 26
16 EU Countries Urge Bigger 2028-2034 Cohesion Funds as Budget Share Drops to 44%
4 articles · Updated · Euronews · May 26
Sixteen EU states in the “Friends of Cohesion” group called for higher allocations for regional policy, agriculture and fisheries in the 2028-2034 EU budget, arguing the Commission’s plan cuts them in real terms.
The push centers on Heading 1, which covers cohesion, farming, rural and maritime policy and repayment of Next Generation EU loans; 81.5% of that heading would go to national and regional plans.
Cohesion and agriculture now account for about 60% of the EU budget, but would fall to 44% under the proposal, despite an overall increase in the size of the new multiannual financial framework.
The group also wants a fresh debate on EU “own resources” and on repaying Recovery Fund loans with new common debt, widening the fight beyond spending allocations.
That stance faces resistance from frugal members: Denmark says the bloc cannot keep spending more on traditional areas, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has opposed new joint EU borrowing.
As institutions clash over the EU budget, who will ultimately control how trillions are spent?
With Germany firmly against more common debt, is Europe's financial solidarity facing its biggest test yet?
Will the EU sacrifice its traditional solidarity funds for rising security and defense spending?