Parliament’s stance on the revision of the EU’s long-term budget

Press Releases

01-12-2023 - 12:28

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Parliament has set out its position on the reform of the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF) on multiple occasions, emphasizing the urgency of future-proofing the EU budget.

What happened at the European Council of 14-15 December?

EU leaders did not agree on revising the EU's long-term budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF). They will revert to the matter during an extraordinary EU summit on 1 February 2024. Read the statement by the President of the European Council Charles Michel, including a link to the latest "negotiating box".

What was Parliament's reaction to the Council impasse?

EP's MFF co-rapporteurs Jan Olbrycht (EPP, PL) and Margarida Marques (S&D, PT) published a statement voicing regret over the Council's inability to reach a common position on a revised long-term budget for the EU, calling for urgent action. Parliament has had a negotiating mandate since mid-October, ready to engage in talks with the Council since then.

What was on the table originally?

Commission’s proposal of 20 June 2023 to reinforce the long-term EU budget to face most urgent challenges, which includes:

the Ukraine Facility,
the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP),
increased funding for migration and
a mechanism to cater for the higher NextGenerationEU funding costs due to the unprecedented surge in interest rates.

Source of the above infographic: "Revision of the EU's long-term budget for 2021 to 2027: Securing sufficient resources for the EU" (EPRS)

What’s Parliament’s position?

On 3 October 2023, Parliament has set out its position on the Commission’s MFF revision proposal.

For the European Parliament, the revision of the EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) is urgent to tackle current challenges caused by multiple crises. While welcoming the Commission's proposal, MEPs add €10 billion for 2024-2027, which should complement the additional €65.8 billion proposed by the Commission: In light of recent external challenges, especially the Russian war against Ukraine and growing migration issues, MEPs bolstered the relevant budgetary areas by €2 billion. They have allocated an additional €3 billion towards the new "Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform" (STEP) and earmarked €5 billion to enhance the EU's ability to respond to unforeseen crises. (Background)

Press release: “Parliament argues for a top-up to multi-annual budget for crisis response”
Parliament’s resolution: “Interim report on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027
Press conference by Roberta Metsola, EP President, Jan Olbrycht and Margarida Marques, MFF co-rapporteurs on the reform of the EU's long-term budget MFF: outcome of the vote on Parliament's interim report
Video of the plenary debate

On 17 October 2023, MEPs have set out their stance on the STEP and the Ukraine Facility:

Press release: “A STEP towards supporting EU competitiveness and resilience in strategic sectors” (background here)
Press release: “A long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs” (background here)

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The European Parliament deeply regrets the European Council’s inability to reach a common position on a revised long-term budget for the EU. It means a period of worrying uncertainty and leaves the European Union unable to address the shortcomings in the EU budget, to finance the political priorities we have all agreed and to ensure people have the support they need.

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On 11 December, the "EU Observer" published an op-ed by MFF rapporteurs Jan Olbrycht and Margarida Marques: "Why this week's EU summit must agree a new budget deal"

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, has advocated EU budget reform several times, for example in her speech at the European Council in June, or at the informal European Council in Granada in October, and more recently at the European Council on 14 December 2023:

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The pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, climate change, energy and the cost of living crises, have all had their impact. Rising interest rates have caused our NextGenerationEU borrowing expenses to rise. Our MFF is stretched to its limit, with the new tasks we have agreed together.

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What now?

Parliament has done its work and is ready for talks with the member states since mid-October. EU leaders, who have yet to agree on a common position, must now decide urgently: MEPs urge swift action during the extraordinary European Council meeting on 1st February 2024 to ensure timely legislative changes, further support for Ukraine as well as the EU's ability to fund its commitments and protect vital programmes like Horizon Europe (research) or Erasmus+.