Germany urges swift EU budget deal after Bardella's threat

Germany is pressing for a swift agreement on the European Union's long-term budget, aiming to finalize negotiations by the end of the year. This push comes in response to a threat from Jordan Bardella, the leader of France's far-right National Rally party, who vowed to seek a halving of France's contribution to the bloc's budget.

In an exclusive interview with POLITICO, Bardella described the current EU framework as "profoundly outdated, old-fashioned, obsolete," and called for a fundamental change in how the Union functions, though he stressed his party does not wish to leave the EU but rather "change everything without destroying anything."

Bardella criticized the EU's timeline for negotiating the next long-term budget, calling it "profoundly anti-democratic" and an attempt to lock in spending plans before a potential political shift in France. He argued that the next French executive must have a say in the budget, which commits the nation for years to come.

He framed his demand for a budget cut as analogous to rebates obtained by wealthier EU countries like Germany and the Netherlands, stating, "We will give the French their money back." Bardella also sought to reassure allies regarding his party's stance on NATO, softening previous positions and indicating no intention to withdraw from the alliance's integrated military command during wartime.

Bardella expressed admiration for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and aims to build alliances with like-minded nationalist parties across Europe. He also characterized Russia under President Putin as a "multidimensional threat," accusing Moscow of "direct aggression" against French and European interests.