Belgian PM Calls for More EU Taxes to Fund Bloc's Priorities, Despite Opposition
• European Union needs more of its own funding, according to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo
• De Croo proposes levying more EU-wide taxes to raise revenue, but avoids specifics on where money would come from
• Northern and Eastern European countries oppose shifting tax collection from capitals to Brussels
• Two largest current EU budget items are agriculture and supporting lower GDP countries, but other priorities need adding
• Direct EU funding would provide greater democratic legitimacy tied to bloc's own money rather than indirect national contributions