Germany also wants to limit the European Union's budget from 2021 and 2027 to one percent of the EU's gross domestic product. This is clear from a paper quoted by the Reuters news agency. Several diplomats confirmed corresponding plans of the Federal Government in the discussion with the SPIEGEL.
With this, Germany is embarking on a confrontation course with German EU Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger. He had proposed to increase the total volume of the EU budget from currently one to 1.11 percent of the economic performance of member countries.
Some net recipients still think that too little, even with the fact that with the United Kingdom one of the largest existing donors is eliminated.
But the net contributors, including Germany, consider the 1.11 percent too high - and want to remain at the previous value of one percent. For even then, German EU officials argue, the German contribution would rise by about ten billion euros a year to make up for the loss of UK payments. Germany would then probably dispute 25 instead of the previous 22 percent of the EU budget.
Eastern Europe wants structural funds money, France more for agriculture
The Finnish Presidency last said that a realistic middle ground could amount to 1.06 percent of GDP. That would be 1179 billion euros in seven years. EU diplomats had already assumed in July that the first budget proposal would be even smaller after the summer break.
It is also controversial what the money should be spent in the future. While Germany and the northern EU states want to invest more money in modernization, artificial intelligence and infrastructures, France, for example, is demanding more money for agriculture and Eastern Europe more funding for structural support.
In Brussels, however, it is unlikely that there will be an agreement later this year. It is conceivable that this will only succeed in the second half of 2020 - if Germany holds the rotating EU Presidency.
