European Commission warns EU budget cuts could weaken crisis response

The European Commission has objected to proposed cuts in crisis reserves, warning that the next EU budget could become harder to adapt to emergencies, according to reports published on October 12.

Politico reported that budget official Stéphanie Riso raised the objections at Sunday’s meeting of EU ambassadors. RIA Novosti, citing that report, said reducing crisis reserves by more than €22 billion would limit emergency support for farmers and regions. Euronews independently reported Riso’s concerns about reduced flexibility.

Irish European Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne defended the proposal, saying the negotiating document increased flexibility across its sections. Ireland, which holds the Council of the EU presidency until December, presented the compromise on October 10.

The plan covers 2028–2034 and would cut spending by €159 billion, roughly 8%, from the Commission’s original proposal in current prices. It would bring a budget of almost €2 trillion to about €1.826 trillion. Those amounts describe a negotiating proposal, not an adopted budget.

According to Politico’s account cited by RIA, Ireland protected core agricultural subsidies and regional payments while shifting cuts toward competitiveness, external assistance and crisis reserves. Seventeen member states had called for agricultural and regional funding to be protected.

Germany and other countries seeking tighter spending limits remain dissatisfied. Politico reported that they sent objections to European Council President António Costa’s team on Sunday. A diplomat from one of those countries argued that protecting traditional programmes at the expense of newer priorities did not match the issues leaders would discuss.

The report also says Ireland softened the Commission’s proposed link between national funding and economic reforms. The disputes are expected to feature at the October 15–16 summit in Brussels. Leaders aim to agree the main budget parameters before the end of the year.