European Union leaders head into further negotiations over the size of the bloc’s next long-term budget after negotiators reduce the initial proposal amid pressure from some member states. Bloomberg reports the figure under discussion is substantially smaller than the starting plan, with talks set to take place in Brussels next week.
Ireland pitches cuts of 8% for the next EU budget, while protecting agriculture and cohesion funding more than other areas. In its proposal, global cooperation and competitiveness face the deepest reductions, and Ireland also supports a €55 billion-a-year package of “own resources.” Euronews adds that EU leaders plan to discuss these proposals on 15–16 October.
Across outlets, the central theme is division among member states. Free Malaysia Today says countries remain split, with Germany among those pushing to scale back Brussels’ broader, near-€2 trillion proposal. Overall, the negotiating positions reflect differing priorities over where cuts should fall and how the EU should fund its spending commitments.
