'Frugal' EU Countries Push to Cut Bloc's Next Budget

Six leaders of European Union member states favoring fiscal austerity have intensified pressure on the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU to cut several hundred billion euros from the bloc's next multiannual budget, according to a Euronews report citing a new compromise text.

The so-called "frugal" countries have historically pushed back against large increases in EU spending, arguing for tighter fiscal discipline across the bloc's long-term budget plans.

The pressure comes as EU institutions work to finalize the next multiannual financial framework, a process that typically involves extensive negotiation among member states with differing priorities on spending and contributions.

Euronews's report did not name the six leaders or specify which budget categories would be most affected by the proposed cuts.