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🇩🇰 Denmark /Economy & Trade

Danish PM Calls Proposed EU Budget Increase 'Simply Too High' | Berlingske (DK)

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen deems the proposed EU budget increase "simply too high."
  • She argues the budget lacks necessary internal European reforms to adapt to the current situation.
  • Denmark's contribution could rise by 15.6 billion kroner annually under the proposal.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has declared the European Union's proposed budget increase "simply too high," stating it lacks the necessary internal European reforms to adapt to the current geopolitical and economic landscape. Frederiksen's comments came as she arrived for an EU summit in Brussels, where the upcoming EU budget for 2027-2033 is a key agenda item.

As we have already expressed from the Danish side, it is simply too high, and there is not the necessary internal European reform will to modernize the budget to take into account the new situation we are in.

— Mette FrederiksenPrime Minister Mette Frederiksen explains Denmark's objection to the proposed EU budget increase.

The proposed budget increase, put forward by the Cypriot EU presidency, would significantly raise Denmark's annual contribution by an estimated 15.6 billion kroner (approximately $2.2 billion USD) in 2026 prices, compared to the current budget period. This figure is based on a new calculation from the Danish Ministry of Finance.

But it must be muscles in the right place. We need to spend more money.

— Mette FrederiksenFrederiksen clarifies Denmark's position on increased EU spending, emphasizing specific priority areas.

Frederiksen acknowledged that Denmark is open to a moderate increase if funds are allocated to priorities like defense, competitiveness, and green transition. She stressed that the EU "needs to have more muscle" in these areas. However, she expressed opposition to increased spending on "old agricultural schemes" and other traditional budget items, advocating for a budget that reflects the "new era" and maintains a "reasonable balance."

We cannot go into these negotiations without supporting that Europe can do more. But it must be a budget that reflects the new era, and there must be a reasonable balance.

— Mette FrederiksenFrederiksen outlines conditions for supporting a larger EU budget, stressing modernization and balance.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen echoed Frederiksen's sentiment, calling the compromise proposal "too much." Both ministers indicated that while Denmark is prepared to contribute more, the current proposal exceeds acceptable limits. Frederiksen anticipates "incredibly difficult negotiations" ahead as member states grapple with the budget's scope and priorities.

We are fully prepared to make a larger contribution, but this is too much. That is the quick message.

— Lars Løkke RasmussenForeign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expresses Denmark's firm stance on the proposed budget increase.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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