Leyen requests additional underlining the creation of EU revenue overhaul as she proposes €2tn budget proposal | European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a €2tn budget for the European Union from 2028 to 2034, calling for new taxes on large companies, tobacco, and electronic waste. This budget aims to address Europe’s challenges and enhance the EU’s independence. Key aspects of her proposal include a fivefold increase in EU funds for defense, a tripling of funds for migration and border management, and a doubling of the research budget with 35% ringfenced for climate and biodiversity. However, her budget plan has faced criticism from various groups. Green politicians and NGOs are angered by the scrapping of the EU’s only dedicated nature protection fund, seeing it as irresponsible and short-sighted. Additionally, there is concern from farmers and the European Parliament regarding the merging of emblematic EU policies into a single pot with fewer ringfenced programs. The budget proposal also faces political opposition, particularly from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who expressed his opposition to EU support for Ukraine. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the budget’s implications for countries that pay more into the EU than they receive.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/17/von-der-leyen-calls-for-new-eu-taxes-on-big-firms-in-2tn-budget-proposal