Christodoulides says EU budget proposal could face cuts of more than 10 per cent

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday that negotiations over the European Union’s 2028–2034 budget could result in a reduction exceeding 10 per cent from the European Commission’s original proposal. Speaking to Politico, he suggested the final cut could reach 10 or 11 per cent.

Successive proposals reduce spending

The commission’s proposal, presented in July last year, set spending at €1.76 trillion for the seven-year multiannual financial framework.

During its rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the Cypriot government put forward a €1.73 trillion proposal in June. Ireland, which subsequently took over the presidency, proposed €1.62tn on Saturday, representing an eight-per-cent reduction from the commission’s initial figure.

Some member states have reportedly sought reductions amounting to hundreds of billions of euros. Most, however, want negotiations on the framework completed before the year ends.

Election timetable adds pressure

Irish European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne said last month that agreement was needed this year to leave sufficient time to prepare all the legislation accompanying the agreed spending figures.

The EU and its 27 members are widely understood to be seeking an agreement before next year’s elections in France and Poland. Their concern is that potential far-right victories in either country could disrupt efforts to secure a deal.

Earlier on Thursday, Christodoulides also pointed to upcoming elections in Spain and Sweden’s difficulty forming a government following last month’s parliamentary vote. He said those developments could complicate efforts to settle the budget over the coming two and a half months.

Support for new priorities, with safeguards

Christodoulides said Cyprus recognised and supported stronger EU policies covering defence and security, competitiveness and migration. However, he argued that those priorities should not undermine the common agricultural policy or cohesion policy, both of which benefit European citizens.

He stressed that securing political agreement before the end of the year was essential, warning that negotiations would otherwise become more difficult. Failure to devise the next framework within that timeframe would, he said, send an adverse signal both to EU citizens and internationally.