EU Budget Commissioner Slams ‘Frugal’ Nations Over Proposed Long-Term Cuts

Published on 02/07/2026 – 10:23 GMT+2

European Union Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin warned on Thursday that deeper cuts and insufficient new revenue plans in the upcoming long‑term EU budget would not necessarily make the Union cheaper for taxpayers. His remarks targeted the so‑called “frugal” member states that are pushing for reduced spending.

The €2 trillion budget for the 2028‑2034 period was put forward by the European Commission in July 2025 and is now under negotiation among the 27 member states.

Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Austria are standing firm on curtailing the proposed expenditure and show little appetite for new revenue sources.

They face opposition from a coalition of 16 southern and eastern European countries that, in late May, called for higher spending on agriculture and regional funds—areas already trimmed in the Commission’s July 2025 proposal. This group labels itself the “friends of cohesion”.

The “frugal” bloc, which has attempted to rebrand itself as the “modernisers”, came under fire from Serafin during a speech at the annual budget conference in Brussels.

“We need to be mindful of the link between having a frugal budget and having a modern budget,” Serafin said.

“A more frugal budget may not be more modern,” he added, explaining that reduced funding could hamper modernisation efforts.

“A frugal EU budget may not necessarily be cheaper for EU taxpayers,” he noted, pointing out that strategic investments in defence and security omitted from the EU budget would instead be financed through national budgets.

According to the Commissioner, greater reliance on national budgets rather than a unified EU budget could lead to duplication, inefficiencies and fewer opportunities for economies of scale.

In mid‑June the member states agreed on a draft compromise that balances the frugal and cohesion positions, proposing a €32.8 billion cut to the Commission’s initial proposal. Sources familiar with the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Euronews the current text is only a preliminary step and that final figures are not expected until at least December.

Negotiators aim to conclude an agreement by the end of 2026, avoiding a drag‑out into 2027—a pivotal election year for Italy, France and Poland, among others.

Source link