Sweden's EU Minister Critiques Proposed €2 Trillion Budget

Sweden's EU minister Jessica Rosencrantz has publicly criticized the European Union's proposed long-term budget of €2 trillion (approximately SEK 22 trillion), arguing that it is excessively large. During an interview, she asserted that the budget's size, which accounts for 1.26% of the EU's total Gross National Income (GNI), is not acceptable and proposed that a more appropriate figure would be 1%. "We need a better budget, not a larger budget," Rosencrantz emphasized, underscoring the need for better allocation of existing funds rather than an outright increase in budget size.

Despite the proposed increase, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reassured that EU member states would not have to contribute more than they currently do to finance the budget. The proposal, which necessitates unanimous agreement from all 27 EU member states, is expected to enter into lengthy negotiations, projected to last at least two years.

Rosencrantz highlighted the importance of Sweden maintaining clarity about its priorities during these negotiations, suggesting that the eventual budget might differ significantly from what has been proposed. With the matter surrounding the EU budget being of considerable significance to member states, the coming discussions are likely to be a critical point of contention, especially for nations that share Rosencrantz's views on budgetary limitations and reallocations.

This critique from Rosencrantz arises amid broader debates within the EU about financial responsibilities and the allocation of resources for various initiatives, further emphasizing the need for sustainable and effective budgeting approaches in the face of growing demands on the EU's financial framework.