Germany criticises proposed EU budget as ‘irresponsibly high’

GERMANY blasted as “irresponsibly high” the European Commission’s proposal for the next 2014-2020 budget, saying it set a poor example during the eurozone debt crisis.

“My first impression from the proposals presented... is that the Commission’s total volume of the budgetary framework is, for the German government, irresponsibly high,” Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement.

“In times of general budgetary consolidation Brussels must also send a message to frugally and sustainably economise.”