FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil arrive for the annual budget debate at the Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, September 24, 2025. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen/File Photo
BERLIN (Reuters) -German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called on Wednesday for a more "modern" EU budget that channels funds into improving cross-border rail and road links, energy networks, external border security and research.
Klingbeil pressed a six-point plan to reboot the European Union's economy, including a "Buy European" approach on critical components such as advanced semiconductors as well as a single market for defence, with joint armaments projects.
