Sweden rejects EU budget proposal as unacceptable

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has rejected the EU's proposed long-term budget, calling it unacceptable and refusing to use it as a basis for negotiations. He stated the proposal would increase Sweden's net contribution by 60 percent. The proposal, drafted by the Irish presidency, was criticized by Kristersson as too large and expensive. Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin defended it, noting cuts of over 140 billion euros and that a small group of wealthy northern countries contributes 46 percent of the EU budget. The budget is a top agenda item at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday. Kristersson's firm stance highlights tensions between net contributor countries and those seeking larger EU spending.