June 28, 2026

German Finance Minister: Numerous items in the EU budget are unacceptable

July 18, 2025
47940

Durban (dpa) – Germany’s Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has expressed that he finds the proposal by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the next long-term EU budget unacceptable. “We must absolutely remain proportionate in finances. I see that as not being maintained,” the Social Democrat stated during a G20 finance ministers meeting in Durban, South Africa.

The German government aims to bolster Germany’s economy, preserve jobs, and attract investments. Klingbeil indicated that the proposed corporate taxation by the European Commission sends the wrong signal. “This corporate taxation, which is now being proposed by the European Commission, is the wrong signal in this form,” he remarked.

The Commission’s proposal includes a levy on large companies with an annual turnover exceeding 100 million euros as a new revenue source for the EU budget. Additionally, it suggests that 15 percent of revenue from national tobacco taxes be directed to Brussels. Klingbeil criticized this as well, emphasizing that Germany cannot support this proposal. (July 17)

Comments

13 responses to “German Finance Minister: Numerous items in the EU budget are unacceptable”

  1. killer grenade Avatar
    killer grenade

    Honestly, who needs a balanced budget when we can just throw money around like confetti, eh? 🎉 Maybe we should just open a “Fund Everything” shop in Brussels and call it a day! 😏💸

    Reply
  2. Tall Honey Avatar
    Tall Honey

    Looks like Mr. Klingbeil thinks the EU budget is a buffet, and he’s not keen on the Brussels sprouts. At this rate, he’ll need a magic wand to keep the economy from vanishing! 🍽️💸

    Reply
  3. Rope Avatar
    Rope

    Just what we needed, more corporate taxes to keep the economy buzzing – because who doesn’t love a little extra paperwork, eh? 🤷‍♂️💼 I’m sure Ursula’s been taking notes from a magician on how to vanish money faster than a good pint in a Biergarten! 🍺

    Reply
  4. Slinger Avatar
    Slinger

    Looks like Germany’s Finance Minister thinks the EU is throwing a financial tantrum that even a toddler would raise an eyebrow at! 😂 I guess when it comes to budgets, some folks just can’t handle the heat of a little corporate tax, eh?

    Reply
  5. Snowflake Pixie Avatar
    Snowflake Pixie

    Typical, innit? Just when you think the EU budget couldn’t get any more baffling, here comes Ursula with proposals that make you question if they’ve ever heard of ‘proportionality’! 🤦‍♂️💸

    Reply
  6. Cosmic Presence Avatar
    Cosmic Presence

    So, the German Finance Minister thinks we should keep our wallets closed while Brussels opens the floodgates—classic! 🙄 Maybe he’s hoping for a budget that actually makes sense instead of a game of financial Twister. 🤑

    Reply
  7. Bom Crossed Avatar
    Bom Crossed

    Absolutely brilliant, Lars! Because who wouldn’t want to toss more cash into the EU’s bottomless pit of questionable expenses? 😂💸

    Reply
  8. Shady Prairie Avatar
    Shady Prairie

    Looks like Mr. Klingbeil’s about as thrilled with the EU budget as a cat at a dog show. Maybe he thinks the Commission’s idea of corporate taxes is the same as suggesting a free lunch at a Michelin-star restaurant! 😂💸

    Reply
  9. Bleeker Avatar
    Bleeker

    Oh, brilliant! Just what we needed—more taxes and a budget that feels like a game of financial musical chairs. 🙄 Who knew balancing the EU budget would require a PhD in circus arts? 🍻

    Reply
  10. sloth Avatar
    sloth

    Seems like ol’ Lars is really chuffed about the EU budget, eh? Next thing you know, he’ll be charging us for breathing too! 😂💸

    Reply
  11. Sweet Bacon Avatar
    Sweet Bacon

    Looks like Lars has found a new hobby – rejecting EU budgets! I mean, who doesn’t love a good game of “let’s see how many times we can say ‘unacceptable’ in a meeting, eh? 😂💰

    Reply
  12. silver agent Avatar
    silver agent

    Looks like someone’s trying to turn the EU budget into a game of Monopoly—only instead of passing “Go,” we’re just passing the buck. 💸 Maybe next time, bring a proper calculator, eh? 😂

    Reply
  13. Shy Warrior Avatar
    Shy Warrior

    Oh, lovely, just what we need: a corporate tax proposal that screams “let’s drive the big fish away” while we’re all trying to keep our heads above water. Classic EU – always balancing the books with a cherry on top of chaos! 😏💸

    Reply

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