EU Ministers Tackle Polarized Budget Debate Ahead of Irish Presidency

European affairs ministers will convene in Brussels on September 22 to discuss key issues, including the EU's long-term budget and developments related to the rule of law. The post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is expected to dominate the agenda, particularly as this meeting will be one of the last in this format before the Irish Presidency unveils its negotiating box in early October.

The debate on the MFF remains highly polarized among EU member states. The leaders of Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Finland have reiterated their position in favor of cuts of 'hundreds of billions of euros' in the draft MFF. In contrast, Spanish Minister of Economy Carlos Cuerpo has called for several hundred billion euros more for the common budget.

A compromise between member states appears elusive, with some countries opposed to reducing the envelope intended for the functioning of EU institutions. The European Commission's 2026 report on the rule of law will also be discussed, highlighting areas such as justice systems and media pluralism.