On Wednesday, the European Commission published the draft budget of the European Union for the period 2028-2034. Described by the Commission as „a budget for a new era” and „the most ambitious in history,” the draft immediately sparked criticism.
MEP Mihai Tudose said that „the total amount proposed, rounded up to €2 trillion to make an impression, is in fact roughly equivalent to the current budget of €1.2 trillion, if we deduct inflation and the amounts earmarked for debt repayment from the post-Covid economic recovery program.
What bothers me most is the 20% cut in the budget for the Common Agricultural Policy compared to the current financial framework. It could go from €378 billion to €300 billion. Has the Commission heard the voice of the farmers who have taken to the streets in desperation in recent years? Obviously not!” pointed out the MEP from the Group of Socialists and Democrats.
Mihai Tudose stressed, on the other hand, that he is not concerned about what some fellow MEPs call the „risk of renationalization” of European funding programs.
„The Commission has once again sinned through a lack of communication. The way the announcement was made gives me the impression of improvisation. We will see in the European Parliament what exactly the Commission’s vision is for grouping funds into national plans.
The advantage would be that it would take into account the economic and development characteristics and priorities of each country. On the other hand, Ms. von der Leyen needs to clarify the conditions she has in mind, because she triumphantly announced that this would increase Brussels’ capacity to enforce compliance.
In short, let’s not ruin something that works, even if imperfectly, for an experiment that serves the European Commission’s ambition for control,” said the president of the PSD National Council.
Mihai Tudose also praised the new draft budget: „Funding for defense is increasing fivefold. It is not enough in relation to what is needed, but it is a significant step forward. At the same time, the money for transport infrastructure is doubling.
Then, on the social front, our commissioner, Roxana Mînzatu, has secured a substantial amount – €100 billion – for the European Social Fund+.
A significant budget continues to be allocated to poorer regions and rural development.
Funding for EU migration and border management is also tripling,” said the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defense.
„Two years of very difficult negotiations lie ahead. We will have to make significant corrections to this draft budget in the European Parliament. The Member States must also approve it, but Germany has already rejected the Commission’s proposal as unacceptable. We, in turn, must have a very clear position as a country and define what we want in view of the negotiations,” said Mihai Tudose.
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