In NZZ.ch, Epicenter’s network of liberal think tanks, including Germany’s Prometheus-Institut, presented its Alternative EU Budget proposal, demonstrating how the Multiannual Financial Framework could be reduced by around €220 billion to €1.54 trillion (1% of GNI). The article criticises the Commission’s €1.763 trillion plan and new own resources, advocating deep cuts to non-core spending such as agriculture, cohesion policy, and climate funds, while prioritising the deepening of the Single Market, genuine cross-border public goods, and fiscal discipline over expanding joint debt and centralisation.