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EU budget out of control: Stop reaching into taxpayers’ pockets!

ESN Group Press Office · 1 min read
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Negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU (2028–2034) are at risk of being significantly delayed. The European Parliament signals that it intends to begin formal talks only in 2027 in order to gain stronger influence over the size and direction of the approximately €1.8 trillion budget. At the core lies a power struggle between Parliament, the Commission, and the Member States.

Alexander Jungbluth, AfD Member of the European Parliament and spokesperson on budgetary policy, states:

“The current dispute lays bare what is fundamentally going wrong in Brussels: instead of handling European taxpayers’ money responsibly, everything revolves around new demands for ever more billions. Yet there are numerous ways to significantly slim down the budget—if priorities were finally set in favor of our own citizens.

In the current financial framework 2021–2027 alone, nearly €80 billion is allocated for external action under the ‘Global Europe’ instrument (NDICI). Around 37 percent of this—more than €29 billion—flows to countries in the Sub-Saharan region. In light of economic strain, high inflation, and declining competitiveness within the EU, this spending policy can no longer be justified to hardworking citizens.

It is equally incomprehensible that European taxpayers’ money is used via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the Solidarity Fund for reconstruction after natural disasters in third countries such as Turkey or Syria. Operational assistance in the form of rescue teams and coordination can continue within our capacities. Financial grants, however, must in future be strictly limited to EU Member States.

By consistently cutting non-European expenditures, we could noticeably reduce the EU budget and finally relieve citizens. This must be the top priority of any responsible fiscal policy!”