The European Parliament has set out its mandate. We stand ready to negotiate constructively with the Council, with a clear goal: agreement by the end of 2026, so new programmes can be launched on schedule in January 2028.
Carla Tavares
War on the continent and the deepening climate crisis are the backdrop against which the European Parliament has now taken a decisive step to shape the future of the European Union’s finances.
With the adoption on Wednesday afternoon (15 April) of the interim report on the next EU budget (the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2028–2034) in the committee on budgets, we have formulated our response to the European Commission’s proposal presented last July.
Our position was clear from day one: we want a budget that works for the people. A budget that can deliver for our citizens, protect our values, and uphold European sovereignty.
If we ask the Union to respond to wars, drive innovation, support farmers and regions, strengthen defence, and lead the twin transition, the budget must rise to meet those ambitions.
We cannot do more with less.
To turn our political commitments and ambitions into reality, we are proposing the next MFF to be set at 1.27 percent of EU gross national income. Our Union simply cannot face new geopolitical, economic and social challenges while running on a shoestring and implementing reforms at the expense of our farmers, our regions, or the most vulnerable in society.
Based on this reasoning, leaders of the pro-European groups requested — last autumn — stand-alone policies and budgets on agriculture and cohesion, fisheries and social policies governed by dedicated regulations, including for proper budgetary accountability. These policies bind our Union together and are the backbone of European solidarity.
I am a firm believer that the next MFF must be a powerful instrument to reduce inequality, combat poverty and promote social inclusion. This is why the European Pillar of Social Rights and social investments must be placed at the core of the EU budget.
Addressing the growing housing crisis requires a coordinated response – one that guarantees decent, affordable housing for millions of citizens, and leverages EU funds strategically with genuine partnerships with regions and local authorities.
We welcome the significant boost proposed for competitiveness, defence and security, research, infrastructure, health preparedness, and education.
This is a signal that Europe is serious about its strategic autonomy.
Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, AgoraEU and civil protection must be properly resourced. Investing in young people, skills and civil society is essential for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and shared identity – to shape our joint future.
To remain a reliable global actor, one that supports international law and the rules-based order, the EU needs the well-resourced external action instrument “Global Europe” to ensure development cooperation, standing with Ukraine, supporting enlargement, peacebuilding and reconstruction in the Middle East as well as upholding human rights and democracy worldwide.
We also call for renewed attention to overseas territories, not least in light of recent geopolitical pressures – among them, the situation in Greenland.
None of these ambitions is sustainable without a modern revenue base: new, genuine own resources. Not only to repay pandemic-era debt, but also – crucially – to fund Europe’s enhanced responsibilities.
One of the most concerning aspects of the Commission proposal – that remains to be addressed in the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) – is the introduction of new forms of macroeconomic conditionality.
Fiscal austerity is gift for the far-right
In practice, this would make fiscal austerity a precondition for accessing European funds – and it would hand far-right populists exactly the ammunition they need: a narrative of punitive, top-down interference by Brussels demanding the tightening of belts.
We draw a clear and firm line here. When it forced to choose between solidarity and austerity, we will always choose solidarity.
Rule-of-law conditionality remains essential for us. Respect for the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights must be a prerequisite for accessing EU funding. This is not about punishment; it is about safeguarding the very foundations of our Union.
Parliament must be fully informed about procedures related to these conditions, ensuring proper democratic scrutiny.
Institutional balance will be another critical issue. Decisions on national plans, milestones and targets cannot rest solely with the commission and member states. Parliament must have a meaningful role, in line with the Treaties, to ensure transparency, accountability and democratic legitimacy.
Parliament has set out its mandate. We stand ready to negotiate constructively with the council, with a clear goal: agreement by the end of 2026, so new programmes can be launched on schedule in January 2028.
The question for Europe’s leaders is straightforward: will we equip the Union for the challenges ahead, or leave it underfunded and outpaced – and, in doing so, let those who want to tear Europe apart write the next chapter for us?
Or do we choose a Europe and a budget that works for our citizens?
