Costa tours EU capitals as Germany and Sweden press for deeper budget cuts

European Council President António Costa began a four-week tour of member states' capitals to test appetite for compromise on the EU's next long-term budget, worth close to two trillion euros. Germany's Friedrich Merz is leading a “frugal” bloc demanding sweeping cuts to agriculture and cohesion spending, while Sweden is pushing for an even deeper cut, of roughly 20 percent to the overall budget; a group of 17 mostly poorer states wants more money for both areas instead. Costa is aiming for a deal by December so the budget can start on time in January 2028.

← See the full edition