Meloni Rallies 17 Leaders Against a Smaller EU Budget — and Against Rebates

The leaders agreed four principles for the next Multiannual Financial Framework: enough money for all common priorities, protection of Cohesion and Agriculture in both funding and rules, fair contributions from member states, and no more rebates on national payments.

Their statement warns that the current budget has shrunk to 1.02 percent of gross national income. The group, mostly southern and eastern member states that receive more than they pay in, wants Cohesion and farm funding kept in their own envelopes rather than merged into national plans.

“As negotiations on the next MFF enter a decisive phase, we stand united in calling for an ambitious, fair and balanced EU budget.”

— Joint statement of 17 Friends of Cohesion leaders

Frugals on one side, cohesion on the other

The line sets up a classic clash with the net payers — the so-called frugals — who want a tighter budget and to keep the rebates they won in past deals. Leaders meet in Brussels on 15 and 16 October, with the MFF on the agenda.