EU Ministers Open Budget Talks as Some States Seek More Ambitious Plan

European Union finance ministers have held their first discussion on the bloc’s next budget, Budget Commissioner Serafin said on Friday. According to Serafin, the meeting was described as constructive, marking an initial step toward drafting the multi-year spending plan. Despite the positive tone, the commissioner added that several member states felt the preliminary proposal lacked ambition, signaling that negotiations over the size and priorities of the budget are likely to become more contentious in the coming rounds of talks.