Overview

• The European Commission’s draft boosts the EU’s 2028–34 budget to €2 trillion, a €700 billion rise targeting defence, competitiveness and aid for Ukraine.
• Germany’s government spokesman Stefan Kornelius declared the proposed increase “not acceptable” given member states’ current efforts to consolidate national finances.
• Leaders of the European Parliament’s EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens/EFA groups have jointly vowed to defend parliamentary control and reject any renationalisation of central policies.
• To fund the expansion, the Commission plans new own resources including a levy on companies with turnover above €50 million, an e-waste charge and a share of tobacco tax revenues.
• Formal trilogue talks between the 27 member states and the Parliament begin this week, requiring unanimous state approval and a majority vote in Strasbourg for final adoption.