EU demands stronger measures against illegal migration and defense
- The European Commission will reveal its long-term budget proposal for the EU on July 16, 2025.
- The proposal aims to address concerns surrounding illegal migration and defense while investing in economic competitiveness.
- The budget will undergo further discussions and refinements before final approval by member states and the EU Parliament.
On July 16, 2025, the European Commission is set to present the proposal for the EU's long-term budget for 2028 to 2034. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič emphasized the necessity of this proposal to address the prominent needs and concerns of European citizens amidst evolving priorities. The discussion before the proposal’s presentation included intensive dialogue among various directorates-general and European Commissioners to align on main priorities, reflecting a commitment to tackle issues like illegal migration and bolstering defense. The forthcoming budget is expected to ensure resources are allocated to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy while retaining essential traditional policies such as cohesion and agricultural policies. This initial proposal is not final, as the European Commission will continue refining it based on feedback from member states and input from the European Parliament. In conjunction with this budget proposal, Germany has reached an agreement with the EU Commission on its multi-year fiscal plan, which details the allowable growth in public spending from 2025 to 2029. This plan will address increased investments in infrastructure and defense while adhering to the EU's Stability and Growth Pact. The alignment of Germany's fiscal plan with EU regulations marks a significant step in addressing its recent spending commitments, including military upgrades and infrastructure improvements. However, Germany may still face scrutiny and potential formal deficit procedures regarding its future budgets, especially concerning the 2026 budget to be submitted later in the year.