MEPs Criticize EU Budget Plan

Members of the European Parliament have expressed serious concerns over the European Commission’s proposed long-term budget, suggesting it is insufficient to address the current challenges facing Europe. The proposed budget sets a spending ceiling at 1.26% of the gross national income, which, according to MEPs, would necessitate cuts to significant EU programs while repayments of existing debts continue to loom.

In a joint statement, Parliament’s co-rapporteurs on the EU’s multiannual financial framework, Siegfried Mureşan and Carla Tavares, along with co-rapporteurs for own resources Sandra Gómez López and Danuše Nerudová, highlighted the inadequacies of the budget proposal. They argue that the proposal lacks sufficient funds for critical sectors such as competitiveness, cohesion, agriculture, and climate adaptation. Mureşan criticized the budget for maintaining the status quo, which the Commission has previously stated is untenable.

Parliamentarians are particularly wary of the budget’s structure, which they claim could undermine established successful programs by merging them into large, umbrella funds. Tavares emphasized the importance of solidarity and cohesion within the EU, warning against proposals that might weaken the role of regional and local authorities in fund management.

Moreover, the co-rapporteurs criticized elements of the proposal that could sideline the European Parliament’s oversight role. They insist that any new performance-based funding mechanisms must include substantial parliamentary scrutiny to ensure transparency and accountability in EU spending. The MEPs called for a more robust and diversified revenue base, including new sources that do not compete with national budgets, to ensure the EU can meet its objectives.