EU Parliament Rejects Budget Cuts, Advocates Increased Funding

The European Parliament's budget committee has firmly opposed the Council's proposed budget cuts to key EU programs. MEPs are advocating for a substantial increase in the 2025 budget, exceeding 200 billion euros, to support vital sectors such as education, research, and infrastructure. The proposed cuts would affect programs like Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health, which are crucial for youth, SMEs, and agriculture. The committee emphasizes a people-centered approach, stressing the importance of maintaining funding levels despite the financial strain from the NextGenerationEU recovery plan.

Simultaneously, the EU faces discussions on reforming its Cohesion Policy, which accounts for a significant portion of the EU budget. Proposals include shifting control to national governments and introducing a performance-based funding model. Regional authorities express concerns over losing influence, fearing these changes might undermine the policy's foundational principles. The debate highlights a growing tension between centralization and regional autonomy in the EU's future financial framework.