DUBLIN — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday the European Commission's original EU budget proposal of almost €2 trillion should be slashed by hundred of billions of euros and that it was "unacceptable" to add 2,500 new jobs at EU institutions.

Speaking at a press conference with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Merz called the Commission's plan " unacceptable" and "not balanced."

He added: “That is why we need a draft budget with cuts across the board — totaling several hundred billion euros. These cuts are essential.”