AACHEN (dpa-AFX) – Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of a “fundamental modernization” of the EU budget in order to consolidate Europe as an independent power in a world in transition. In his speech at the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize to Mario Draghi in Aachen, he advocated focusing the European Union’s medium-term financial planning more on military and economic strength.
Clear rejection of new debts
“Slimmer structure, investments in competitiveness and defense, a focus on European funds for European politics. All of this is necessary because the funds are limited,” said Merz. He clearly rejected any new debts. “Germany cannot follow this path for constitutional reasons.”
The EU budget is set for seven years. The budget for 2028 to 2034 is currently being negotiated, which, according to a proposal from the European Commission, should amount to 1.76 trillion euros adjusted for inflation. As the largest economy in the EU, Germany contributes by far the largest share of this.
Merz complains that the budget is still being drawn up “almost in a planned economy” for seven years and that over two thirds of the money will flow “in redistribution and subsidies”. He now wants to use the budget primarily to strengthen European sovereignty in a world in which great power politics of states such as the USA, China and Russia play a decisive role.
“Europe has set out to become a power”
In previous speeches, the Chancellor had already advocated that the EU should rely on its own military and economic strength. “We have to self-confidently define our own interests. And we have to be prepared to do something to protect these interests,” he said in Aachen.
Europe woke up and understood that it could only assert itself in this world through economic and security policy strength. “Europe has set out to become a power, a power that can withstand the storms of this new era.”/mfi/cd/DP/jha