Frugal six trash Ireland’s €1.62tn EU budget box before the summit

Ireland’s EU presidency circulated a revised Multiannual Financial Framework proposal on 10 October: about €1.62 trillion for 2028–2034 — roughly eight per cent below the Commission’s near-two-trillion draft, yet still a sharp rise on the current framework. At the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday, the net-contributor club that calls itself the frugals — and lately the “modernisers” — said no.

Germany in the EU posted that minister Gunther Krichbaum wants further significant cuts and a budget tilted to competitiveness, innovation, security and defence. Agence Europe quoted him slamming cuts that hit the wrong headings. Sweden’s Jessica Rosencrantz put the politics in one line:

“Drawing up an EU budget is not about making a magical wish list. It is about setting priorities. And if everything is a priority, then nothing is.”

— Jessica Rosencrantz, Swedish minister for EU affairs, General Affairs Council Luxembourg 13 Oct 2026

Everybody hates the box

The Friends of Cohesion — seventeen southern and eastern capitals — attacked the opposite flank: they say Ireland’s ambition sinks to just 1.02% of GNI and that Europe must not lower its sights. Budget commissioner Piotr Serafin called the Commission “concerned and dissatisfied” with the proposed cuts. Irish minister Thomas Byrne insisted the box kept everyone in the room. Leaders take it up at the European Council on 15–16 October. Denmark sits in the frugal six. The fight is no longer about whether to cut — it is about what gets cut, and who pays.