Marie Bjerre: A More Robust Europe Demands an Enhanced Budget

The Danish government does not have a policy in favor of increasing the EU budget, but it remains open to discussions. This was stated by European Minister Marie Bjerre (V) ahead of a ministerial meeting in Brussels on Friday.

“Our primary focus will be on better prioritizing the budget. Nonetheless, a stronger Europe necessitates a stronger budget,” Bjerre remarked.

Historically, the Danish government has opposed an increase in the EU budget, arguing that Denmark and other EU nations should not contribute more.

The minister emphasized that initial discussions should concentrate on optimizing budget expenditures before addressing its overall size.

“We are not ruling anything out at this stage,” Bjerre noted prior to the meeting.

During the gathering, member states will review the EU Commission’s proposal for a long-term budget, which was introduced on Wednesday.

As the EU presidency country, Denmark plays a pivotal role in the early negotiations for the EU’s multiannual budget.

The budget, set to take effect from 2028 to 2034, is unlikely to be finalized during Denmark’s presidency.

“I anticipate a lengthy and challenging discussion. This first discussion is natural and will likely reveal numerous initial disagreements,” Bjerre stated.

The presidency’s objective is to achieve consensus on the initial negotiation steps by autumn.

On Wednesday, the EU Commission unveiled its proposal for the next multiannual budget, requesting the largest budget in EU history at €2000 billion, equivalent to nearly 15 trillion kroner.

The Commission attributes the need for a substantial budget to various pressing issues currently affecting Europe, including the war in Ukraine, high energy prices, and climate change.

For the budget to be approved, all 27 EU nations and the EU Parliament must endorse the proposal.

The proposed budget size has encountered criticism, notably from Germany.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced the Commission’s plan to impose a corporate tax on large enterprises, stating, “I can assure you that Germany will not pursue this path.”

Marie Bjerre highlighted the necessity for a robust EU budget: “We are facing significant challenges in Europe concerning security, competitiveness, and an operational gap with China and the USA.”