Bruno Retailleau, the presidential candidate of France and leader of the Republicans party, announced that France should seek reimbursement of its share of the EU budget. These statements were made on the eve of an important meeting of European leaders in Brussels, where the long-term EU budget will be discussed.
France's Financial Challenges
Retailleau, in his speech at the competitiveness meeting in Paris, said: "It is really insane that we pay more into the EU budget than we receive while facing a severe budget deficit." He pointed out that France contributes more to the EU budget than it receives, and this issue needs to be addressed.
European leaders will gather on Thursday and Friday to discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework and the expectations of various countries regarding the new budget. Retailleau noted that France is neither among the frugal countries nor among those seeking an increase in the budget.
Budget Allocation and Investments
Retailleau also referred to the allocation of budget to European countries and stated that savings should be made in this regard. He said: "We have paid billions of euros to other countries to reach us. Now they have reached us and will likely have a higher standard of living in the coming years. Unfortunately, we must say that this trend must stop."
Retailleau is trailing behind his rivals, Édouard Philippe and Marine Le Pen, in the polls, and therefore could not provide a specific figure for the reimbursement he would request if he wins the election. Le Pen, who is currently leading in the presidential election for next year, has proposed reducing France's annual share of the budget by 11.1 billion euros.
He also emphasized that he is seeking a "negotiation" and does not intend to unilaterally impose a lower share on the EU. Retailleau said: "I do not want to act like Marine Le Pen; I am pro-Europe." He believes that France's defense and nuclear deterrence investments should also be considered in the calculations of the country's share of the EU budget, as the concept of advanced deterrence benefits France's European neighbors.
