Nine of the 27 member states in the European Union, including Germany, have expressed their opposition to a proposal from the bloc's executive to create an additional 2,500 jobs, revealed in a letter obtained by news agency AFP. This proposal is part of a budget plan amounting to two trillion euros for the years 2028-2034, which includes the creation of new roles within the EU's governing institutions, currently staffed by about 51,000 employees. The letter, spearheaded by the fiscally conservative Austria, criticizes the planned increase, arguing that it contradicts the objectives of efficiency, restraint, and necessary reforms.

The letter has been signed by Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden, highlighting a widespread concern among fiscally conservative EU countries regarding the management of the EU budget and workforce expansion. The signatory countries suggest that instead of increasing the number of jobs, the focus should be on improving efficiency within existing frameworks and addressing the current fiscal challenges faced by the EU.

In response to these criticisms, Balazs Ujvari, a spokesperson for the European Commission, defended the need for new positions, stating that they are essential to fill existing capacity gaps. Ujvari noted that while there are increasing tasks and responsibilities, the current workforce is not adequately equipped to manage these demands, thus making the recruitment necessary to ensure the operational efficiency of the EU's institutions.