Brussels, 23 April 2025
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Post-2027 budget must reflect current geopolitical, economic, and environmental realities and be flexible
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Commission’s ‘single national plan’ approach cannot be the basis for spending in member states
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Mega-funds merging existing programmes are not fit for purpose
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Robust parliamentary accountability is needed to allocate and trace funds
MEPs in the Budgets Committee have backed the first report outlining Parliament’s vision for the next long-term EU budget.
In the report adopted on Wednesday by 23 votes in favour, 9 against and with 2 abstentions, MEPs emphasise the need for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF) that can deliver on EU citizens’ rising expectations against a rapidly changing global backdrop. The current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income (GNI) is not enough to address the growing number of crises and challenges, the report argues. With the US retreating from its global role, spending will have to address Russia’s war of aggression, a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis, according to the report.
No to single national plans
MEPs oppose the Commission’s idea of replicating the “one national plan per member state” model used in the Recovery and Resilience Facility for post-2027 spending in member states. Instead, they call for a structure that ensures transparency and parliamentary accountability, and involves regional and local authorities and all relevant actors. The report underlines the continued importance of cohesion policy to foster economic, social, and territorial integration, deepen the single market, reduce inequalities, and fight poverty and exclusion.
Competitiveness and defence
MEPs consider the Commission’s proposed Competitiveness Fund – which would merge several existing programmes – inadequate, calling instead for a new, targeted fund designed to leverage private and public investment through EU-backed de-risking mechanisms, building on the success of instruments like InvestEU and the Innovation Fund. The report also highlights the need for increased defence investment to support a comprehensive security approach, but stresses that this must not undermine social and environmental spending or long-standing policies.
Simplification and accountability
The next long-term budget must cut unnecessary red tape for those benefiting from EU funding, but must not give the Commission more leeway without the democratic scrutiny of Parliament. A simpler budget must be a more transparent budget, MEPs say. The report underlines that the budget’s design must safeguard Parliament’s role in holding the executive to account, putting in place strict accountability mechanisms and guaranteeing full transparency in relation to EU funds’ final recipients.
Flexibility and rule of law
Flexibility in spending is also key – crisis-response capabilities must be built into the long-term budget for each policy area, with humanitarian aid ring-fenced. The next budget should include two special instruments: for disaster relief and for other unforeseen challenges. The report insists that access to EU funds must be tied to respect for EU values and the rule of law, and advocates a smart conditionality mechanism so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions.
Debt repayment and joint borrowing
The repayment of NextGenerationEU borrowing costs must not endanger funding for key EU priorities, MEPs argue. The report calls for a clear separation between borrowing cost repayment and programme spending. The report urges the Council of member states to adopt new, genuine revenue resources for the sustainable financing of borrowing and of Europe’s higher spending needs. MEPs consider joint borrowing a viable option for tackling major EU-wide crises, such security and defence.
Quotes
“We want an EU budget that better reflects the Union’s new priorities like competitiveness and defence, while protecting long-standing ones such as agriculture and cohesion. That is why we call for a responsible and justified increase of the next MFF, moving beyond the self-imposed 1% of GNI cap. We also reject the Commission’s ‘one national plan per member state’ model, which we believe is unfit for managing spending in member states. Today’s vote shows Parliament’s Committee on Budgets is united and ready for the next EU budget proposal, with strong support from pro-European political groups for a more ambitious EU budget,” Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, RO), co-rapporteur, said.
“We have worked hard to incorporate nearly 2,000 amendments into our report, reflecting the majority vision for the next long-term EU budget. We want people and regions at the centre of the next MFF. We need strong investments to boost strategic autonomy, economic resilience, and green goals while leaving no one behind. In addition, an ambitious budget must promote social and territorial cohesion, include new and modernised sources of revenue, and guarantee sufficient funding for security, defence and preparedness as a pillar to ensure just and thriving societies, while upholding the rule of law and the EU’s core values,” Carla Tavares (S&D, PT), co-rapporteur, said.
Next steps
Parliament’s plenary is expected to vote on the report during its first session in May, setting out Parliament’s priorities, and feeding into the Commission’s proposal on the next long-term EU budget. The Commission is expected to unveil its proposal in July.
Background
The EU’s long-term budget, the multiannual financial framework (MFF) is typically established for a period of seven years and lays down the maximum spending ceilings for different policy areas. After having secured Parliament’s consent, granted by a majority of its component members, the Council, consisting of EU governments, adopts the MFF regulation; this requires unanimity. The EU’s current long-term budget runs out on 31 December 2027. About 93% of the EU budget funds regional and local projects, and support for agriculture, research, education, and businesses.
Statements der EU-Abgeordneten Niclas Herbst (CDU) und Monika Hohlmeier (CSU) zum Mehrjahresfinanzrahmen (MFR)
Heute hat der Haushaltsausschuss seine Position zum nächsten Mehrjahresfinanzrahmen (MFR) angenommen. Hierzu erklären:
Niclas Herbst (CDU), Vorsitzender des Haushaltskontrollausschusses:
„Der heute angenommene Bericht ist ein klares Statement. Er erteilt Kommissionsplänen zu einer Re-Nationalisierung des EU-Haushalts, wonach Haushaltskompetenzen gerade in der Regionalpolitik stärker in den Hauptstädten der Mitgliedstaaten angesiedelt werden, eine klare Absage. Ich lehne ebenfalls die Zentralisierungsideen der Kommission ab. Die Rolle der Regionen in Europa darf nicht unterschätzt werden. Unsere Regionen wissen am besten, was vor Ort gebraucht wird und üben auch demokratische Kontrolle aus.
Die grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit der Regionen ist z.B. im dänisch-schleswig-holsteinischen Grenzgebiet eine Erfolgsgeschichte. Mehr Macht und EU-Finanzmittel für die Hauptstädte schwächen unsere Regionen genauso wie das EU-Parlament als Gesetzgeber.
Die Kommission muss nun bei ihrem Vorschlag für den nächsten Mehrjahresfinanzrahmen unsere heute verabschiedete EP-Stellungnahme berücksichtigen.“
Monika Hohlmeier (CSU), stellvertretende Vorsitzende des Haushaltsausschusses:
„Mit der heutigen Abstimmung senden wir als EU-Parlament ein deutliches Signal: Europäisches Geld muss auch europäisch verwendet werden. Nationale Pläne nach dem Vorbild des Wiederaufbaufonds sowie Zentralisierungsfantasien der Kommission lehnen wir ab.
Vereinfachung ist wichtig – aber darf nicht bedeuten, dass europäische Vorzeigeprojekte, wie die europäischen Spitzenforschung, eingestampft werden. Wir brauchen moderne Digitalisierung in Verwaltungsverfahren, die Prozesse vereinfachen, Fördermittel zügig vergeben und Finanzflüsse schnell, unkompliziert und transparent machen. Eine Renationalisierung des Haushalts würde Missbrauch Tür und Tor öffnen: Wenn nur nationale Regierungen und Beamte entscheiden, wer europäische Mittel erhält und wer nicht, wird sowohl die demokratische Mitentscheidung als auch der europäische Gedanke ad absurdum geführt.
Wir brauchen Verlässlichkeit, Planbarkeit und einen echten europäischen Mehrwert im Haushalt. Es darf kein Aushebeln der Verträge geben – und keine Umgehung der Mitentscheidung und demokratischen Kontrolle durch das Europäische Parlament.“
Quelle – CDU/CSU-Gruppe im EU-Parlament
S&Ds: We need a bigger and better EU pluriannual budget post-2027
In today’s vote in the European Parliament’s committee on budgets, the Socialists and Democrats succeeded in achieving a majority for the report on a revamped long-term EU budget post-2027 to meet the challenges of our changing world. The current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 budget was drafted in 2019 in a totally different world before the Covid-19 pandemic, the spike of energy prices and the full-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. According to the S&D Group, it is clear the next MFF has to be different and bigger.
We have to fund priorities that help us tackle challenges from both inside and outside the Union. To name only a few of the priorities for our group – we want people and regions at the centre of the next MFF. Social, economic and territorial cohesion is a must for a more competitive and resilient Europe. The EU budget has to focus on social cohesion, tackling inequalities, fostering employment security, and the creation of quality of jobs and professional resilience in a changing world. Our group is also sending an important signal to the Commission and the member states – around 20 million children in the Union are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This is unacceptable and we demand a dedicated budget within the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support the European Child Guarantee as a central pillar of the EU anti-poverty strategy. At the same time, the Union must tackle challenges in the areas of security, defence and preparedness, which are essential pillars for a healthy, just and prosperous society.
In order to achieve these priorities, the next MFF must have significantly increased resources compared to the current amounts to allow us to do what we need to in order to support our citizens in the face of increased social and economic instability. The Socialists and Democrats call for new genuine own resources to ensure not only the sustainable repayment of borrowing, but also to guarantee Europe’s ability to react to crises and respond to citizens’ needs. The S&Ds also insist that new joint borrowing should be available to ensure that the Union has sufficient resources to provide a collective response to the myriad of challenges we are facing.
The S&D Group underlines that the upcoming proposal by the European Commission on the next MFF should keep a high level of ambition when it comes to the green and digital transition, as well as the role the EU wants to play in a changing world by showing the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the need to increase humanitarian aid to those most in need around the world.
The next step is the vote on the report on 7 May during the European Parliament’s plenary session.
The Socialists and Democrats call on the Commission to take our priorities on board when it drafts its legislative proposal to be negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council.
Carla Tavares, leading co-negotiator on the next MFF, said:
“The next MFF must promote a stronger social Europe by strengthening the European Pillar of Social Rights, modernising and decentralising cohesion policy aiming at a more sustainable, competitive and fair economy and society. At the same time, it must tackle challenges such as the green transition, as well as security, defence and preparedness, which are essential pillars for a healthy and prosperous society. In addition, an ambitious budget must explore new and modernised sources of revenue, including joint borrowing, to ensure that the Union is sufficiently equipped to respond to its citizens’ needs.”
Source – S&D Group
Renew Europe: A future-proof, long-term EU budget must defend rule of law and respond to Europe’s changing security landscape
Brussels, 23 April 2025
The Committee on Budgets of the European Parliament today adopted its vision for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), ahead of the legislative proposal that the European Commission is due to present in July.
Renew Europe seeks a resilient, values-driven EU budget capable of addressing both internal and external challenges. At the heart of Renew Europe’s position is a clear demand: the next MFF must defend the rule of law and respond decisively to Europe’s evolving security environment.
We secured stronger language in the report on strategic autonomy, investment and competitiveness, the green and energy transitions, security and defence, humanitarian aid and external action, the rule of law and the EPPO, gender and climate mainstreaming, crisis response, and new own resources.
In today’s volatile geopolitical climate, Renew Europe successfully pushed for a clear call to advance a European Defence Union, in close coordination with NATO and with respect for Member States’ neutrality. The next MFF must provide a comprehensive financial framework for EU defence capabilities, ensuring that Europe can act strategically and independently when needed.
Equally essential is the budget’s role in upholding the rule of law and EU values. Renew Europe welcomed the Commission’s commitment to strengthen the connection between the annual rule of law report and access to Union funds, starting in 2025. We call for a robust rule of law toolbox applying across the entire EU budget, building on the RRF conditionality and the Financial Regulation, and Renew advocated strongly for a smart conditionality mechanism so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions. The Commission must monitor Member States’ compliance actively and take swift, consistent action where violations occur.
MEP Fabienne Keller (Renaissance/France) , Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur, emphasised:
“This report sends a clear signal: the EU budget must be future-proof, values-driven, and accountable. The rule of law is a red line when it comes to EU funds.”
We also supported reinforced provisions to promote democratic resilience, including continued EU funding for independent media, investigative journalism, fact-checking, and digital literacy as part of the European Democracy Shield—critical tools in the fight against disinformation and foreign interference.
As the United States retreats from its global leadership role, including major cuts to USAID, the EU must assume greater responsibility. The MFF must position the EU as the world’s leading provider of development and climate aid, uphold the 0.7% GNI commitment, and defend democracy, multilateralism, and human rights.
A future MFF must also remain transparent, flexible, and democratically accountable. Parliament must play a central role in budgetary oversight. We reject rigid national envelopes and call for a structure that enables effective scrutiny without sacrificing simplification or efficiency.
Fabienne Keller added:
“We need a MFF that is truly future-proof—one that equips us to respond to challenges, deliver on our priorities, and build a stronger, more resilient European Union for all its citizens. Renew Europe remains committed to a strategic, value-based EU budget that can defend our principles and respond to a more dangerous and complex world.”
Source – Renew Europe