17 countries join forces to oppose EU budget cuts

BRUSSELS — Seventeen EU governments have publicly warned against cuts to agriculture and regional payouts in the next seven-year budget, in a rebuke of Germany's stance in the negotiations. The letter — signed on Friday by Italy, Spain and Poland among others — heaps pressure on the Irish rotating presidency of the Council of the EU to leave untouched almost €900 billion of spending in the upcoming draft budget, which is expected to be presented next week. This sets up tensions with a rival camp of six countries led by Germany, which renewed calls for cuts of several hundred billion euros across the board in a joint letter earlier this week.