Irish Presidency’s proposed cut to Horizon Europe budget fails to win support

News Tank Academic - Brussels - News #456772 - Published on 12/10/26 at 13:48
©  D.R.
Christian Ehler and René Repasi - ©  D.R.

The proposed cuts of almost 10% to the Horizon Europe budget for 2028-2034 by the Irish Presidency of the Council are failing to win anyone over.

On 10/10/2026, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne presented Ireland’s proposed negotiating framework for the 2028-2034 MFF, with €158.187 billion for Horizon Europe, 9.6% below the European Commission’s €175bn proposal of July 2025.

Christian Ehler and René Repasi, two German MEPs in charge of the EP's reports on the next Horizon Europe programme, reacted the same day, saying: "Let us be clear about what such a cut means. It is not a saving. It is lost growth." In June, the Cypriot negotiating framework already cut Horizon Europe to €148bn in 2025 prices (€167bn in current prices), below the Commission’s €155bn…

©  D.R.
Christian Ehler and René Repasi - ©  D.R.

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