# Von der Leyen Defends EU Budget Plan

> EU leader urges against cutting EU's €2 trillion spending plan ahead of summit.
- Title: Von der Leyen Defends EU Budget Plan · EUobserver | Shortify
- Summary: EU leader urges against cutting EU's €2 trillion spending plan ahead of summit. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warns against large cuts…
- Keywords: ursula von der leyen, eu budget, eu summit, common agricultural policy, cohesion policy, eu commission, politics, world, Von, der, Leyen, Defends
- Source: EUobserver — https://euobserver.com/241381/von-der-leyen-joins-meps-in-defence-of-eus-e2-trillion-spending-plan-ahead-of-summit
- Published: 2026-10-06T15:48:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ursula von der leyen, eu budget, eu summit, common agricultural policy, cohesion policy, eu commission, politics, world
## Von der Leyen warns against cuts
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen urged MEPs not to gut the EU's next seven-year budget during a speech in Strasbourg on Tuesday (6 October).
## Budget proposal details
The EU's proposed budget is just under €2 trillion, equivalent to 1.26 percent of the bloc's gross national income.
## German demand for cuts
Germany-led 'frugal' countries demanded hefty cuts, claiming they contribute too much to the EU budget.
## Chancellor Merz's stance
Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated having no new financial framework is the most financially advantageous solution for Germany.
## Southern and Eastern Europe letter
Seventeen EU countries from Southern and Eastern Europe signed a joint letter demanding farmers' subsidies and cohesion policy spending be maintained.
## Muresan's warning
Romanian MEP Siegfried Muresan said there is still time for the Irish presidency to avoid proposing unjustified cuts that would weaken Europe.
## Key takeaway

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warns against large cuts to EU's next seven-year budget as countries demand reductions.