The European Commission recently unveiled its draft proposal for the European Union's budget, which will span from 2028 to 2034. This multiannual financial framework (MFF) outlines the revenue and expenditure plans for the bloc, setting the stage for negotiations among the Commission, member states, and the European Parliament over the next few years. The current budget amounts to €1.2 trillion for the period from 2021 to 2027, but several countries, particularly Germany, have expressed resistance to increasing their national contributions.
The proposed budget indicates a shift in focus towards enhanced spending on security, defense, and competitiveness, which may lead to cuts in regional and agricultural support. This has raised concerns among various European Parliament members regarding the centralization of funding decisions. The plan to negotiate regional funding directly between Brussels and national capitals, rather than with regional authorities, has been criticized as a potential overreach of power by the Commission.
Additionally, the Parliament has threatened to obstruct budget negotiations unless the Commission revises its strategy to funnel a significant portion of the budget through national plans. Lawmakers argue this would undermine their role in determining spending priorities, particularly regarding agriculture and regional development policies. The Commission defends its proposals as a means to streamline administration and reinforce EU objectives, yet these plans face significant resistance and may struggle to advance without parliamentary support.
