The coalition in the European Parliament wants changes in the new EU budget. “I don't agree to national plans”

The heads of the groups forming the coalition in the European Parliament, in a letter addressed on Thursday to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, rejected the draft EU budget after 2027 and called for its changes. Their main objection concerns the introduction of national plans in the shape of the KPO.

In accordance with the one presented by the European Commission in July this year. with the budget proposal for 2028-34, the previously dispersed policies – cohesion, agriculture, social, migration and border security – will be integrated within the framework of “national and regional partnership plans”. The EC argues that this merger will reduce bureaucracy and duplication of expenditure, and will also increase flexibility in spending funds by member states.

In a letter to von der Leyen, the heads of the political groups in the European Parliament, which constitute the majority, protested against the introduction of national plans and called on the EC to make changes. The letter was signed by: the leader of the center-right European People's Party Manfred Weber, the head of the Social Democrats from the S&D Iratxe Garcia Perez, the head of the liberals Valerie Hayer and Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout, co-chairmen of the Greens.

One of the reasons why the signatories of the letter to the head of the European Commission do not agree to national plans is the weakening of the role of local and regional authorities. These – as emphasized by the leaders of the coalition political groups in the chamber – will no longer be involved in direct negotiations with the EC.

– Cohesion policy cannot be solely designed and managed by central governments. The role of regions and local authorities must therefore be strengthened and much better expressed, the letter says. They postulate that direct negotiations between regions and the EC be maintained as mandatory.

According to the leaders of the European Parliament faction, 27 different national plans will lead to fragmentation and renationalization of EU funds.

The letter also reminded von der Leyen that the European Parliament, in the position adopted in May this year. noted that the “one plan per member state” approach known from the National Reconstruction Plan should not constitute the basis for spending money from the EU budget after 2027.

– Unfortunately, this is exactly what the European Commission has proposed. The European Parliament cannot accept this as a basis for starting negotiations, wrote the heads of the four factions.

In response to the letter, Balazs Ujvari, the EC spokesman responsible for budgetary matters, said that the Commission is ready to listen to the voice of the Parliament and member states. – They will play an important role in this process – he noted. – We are open to listening to their position, and this will be the starting point for further talks – he added.

The budget is adopted by the unanimous consent of the Member States. The European Parliament adopts or rejects the budget proposal, but cannot amend it.

From Brussels Magdalena Cedro (PAP)

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