https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-issues-eu-budget-ultimatumContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-issues-eu-budget-ultimatumhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/germany-issues-eu-budget-ultimatum#u100061Sun, 04 Oct 2026 20:45:38 +0000Germany and five other EU member states, including the Netherlands, have threatened to reject the proposed 2028-2034 seven-year budget unless spending is reduced by "hundreds of billions" of euros. Led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, these net contributor nations demand a shift in spending priorities toward defense and innovative businesses. The coalition intends to reduce subsidies for poorer regions and farmers to fund these priorities. Some government officials are preparing for a specific cut of 100 billion euros to the current proposal, which totals 2 trillion euros.Why it matters