EU budget must be about people, solidarity and the future

“The key challenge of the future budget of the EU is to give back hope to Europe and Europeans”, said Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, during the plenary debate ahead of the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget, own resources and the Recovery Fund. “The budget has to be democratic, decided by the representatives of the people in the European Parliament, should express solidarity with all Europeans and invest in a better future of younger generations.”

The EPP Group in the European Parliament will reject the long-term EU budget if Europe's multi-billion Coronavirus Recovery Fund is set up without Parliament having the right of democratic oversight and parliamentary control and being involved in the shaping of the fund. Deciding on how the money is spent, for what, and for whom are key political decisions and the Parliament must have a say on them.

“It is the democratic right of the European Parliament to be involved in the adoption and implementation of the long-term EU budget and the Recovery Fund as the only directly-elected EU Institution. The final deal cannot be just an agreement between the Council and the Commission. It must also be agreed with the European Parliament. The participation of the Parliament will lead to a better Recovery Fund. MEPs bring experiences from all countries and all regions of Europe to the table in a way in which no other European Institution does. They know best what is needed in their home regions”, said Siegfried Mureşan MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for budgetary affairs.

“The next long-term EU budget must be able to respond to current challenges and prepare our Union for the future. The European Parliament demands that the Commission puts forward a massive recovery and reconstruction package financed through an increase of the long-term EU budget that includes new own resources. It is also imperative that any Recovery Fund proposed alongside the budget should neither affect our long-term priorities nor result in a smaller budget. We cannot do more with less money”, concluded Mureşan.