Strasbourg, 13 March 2024
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MEPs advocate for a robust, people-centred EU budget to offer better opportunities to all citizens
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Emphasis on a European Education Plan and access to modern health technologies for all
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Support to farmers, businesses and a fair Europe that does not leave anyone behind, green and digital transitions, and ensuring prosperity and security across the EU
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First annual budget after the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework
Parliament’s priorities for the 2025 EU budget include enhanced support for the green and digital transitions, competitiveness, and ensuring prosperity, inclusiveness and security.
Highlighting a commitment to address the multifaceted challenges of today’s Europe, the European Parliament has approved a forward-looking stance for the 2025 EU budget. In the resolution adopted on Wednesday by 380 votes in favour, 102 against, with 100 abstentions, MEPs clearly state that “in times of geopolitical and institutional change, financial pressure, climate change and societal challenges, a reliable, robust, flexible, investment oriented EU budget remain instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies and central in responding to people’s increasing needs”.
The 2025 EU budget will be the first annual budget that will see the full benefit of the reinforcements decided in the MFF revision, but it will also be the first procedure that will have to make difficult choices about how to cover the repayment costs of the debt incurred under the “NextGenerationEU” borrowing scheme.
A people-centred EU budget that is equitable, fair and inclusive
The draft resolution emphasizes an EU budget that champions affordable living, societal cohesion, and high-quality public services. It advocates for a budget that not only complements national policies but also amplifies the Union’s strategic aims by addressing the diverse needs of EU citizens. This approach highlights the social and inclusiveness dimension of EU expenditure, including a social cross-cutting criterion for all funding opportunities and policy areas. In addition, the approved guidelines promote initiatives that span from improving public health to boosting social integration and educational opportunities through programmes like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.
A budget that delivers on strategic priorities
Highlighting the budget’s strategic role, MEPs also advocate for increased investment in key programs like Horizon Europe and InvestEU, along with the STEP regulation, to fortify the EU’s technological and industrial base. The resolution calls for a budget that supports the European Green Deal, digital infrastructure enhancements, and the EU’s climate neutrality goals, focusing on investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies.
A future-fit budget for a changing world
The resolution articulates the need for a future-oriented budget that adapts to the global landscape, emphasizing comprehensive migration and asylum policies, supporting candidate countries and the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area, and enhancing the EU’s security and defence capabilities, notably in support of Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.
Boosting the implementation of EU programmes
The Parliament is committed to improving the effectiveness of translating EU programmes into concrete action, emphasizing the role of cohesion policy in promoting sustainable growth and reducing regional disparities. It advocates for the swift execution of budgetary allocations while ensuring transparency, and robust oversight to maximize the EU budget’s impact. In general, the Guidelines minimise negative impact on flagship programmes and maximise concrete benefits for all citizens.
Rapporteur Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO) said:
“Today’s vote demonstrates that our institution is united and that we need to allocate adequate financial resources to meet the priorities voiced by EU citizens. Our focus ranges from enhancing business development to creating high-quality jobs, investing in infrastructure as well as in rural regions, implementing a new European education plan, and introducing concrete measures to support European farmers. As Rapporteur, I successfully negotiated the inclusion of the social dimension as cross-cutting criterion for all funding opportunities and policy areas, marking a big step for the future of the EU, faithful to our commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.”
Watch the plenary speech of rapporteur Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO)
Next steps
The Commission is expected to present its proposal for the 2025 budget before the summer 2024. Next year’s budget has to be agreed between the Council and the Parliament by the end of this year.
Background
The budget guidelines are the first document that Parliament produces during the annual budget procedure. It sets out the line that Parliament expects the Commission to take when drawing up its budget proposal.
Well over 90% of the EU budget goes to citizens, regions, cities, farmers and businesses.