Brussels:German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged for financial restraint in the European Union's forthcoming long-term budget discussions, emphasizing the need to allocate limited resources towards defense and competitiveness.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Merz expressed his concerns at a press conference following a two-day EU summit in Brussels. He firmly opposed proposals to increase the post-2028 Multiannual Financial Framework by approximately 50 percent, deeming such an expansion financially impractical. He advocated for substantial spending reductions relative to the European Commission's proposals.

Merz's stance aligns with his earlier social media statement where he highlighted the constraints on EU funds and called for clear prioritization. "We must invest where Europe's future is decided in defense and competitiveness," he asserted. This viewpoint is shared by Germany and other nations that are net contributors to the EU budget, as they push for more cuts in the bloc's next long-term financial plan.