The European Parliament in Strasbourg on 29 and 30 May is expected to show itself to be disappointed with the 2 May proposals for the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12014).
The draft resolution on the MFF 2021-2027 lodged by the EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA groups talks of a battle over the figures (see EUROPE 12025). The European Commission unveiled figures on 2 May that hide smaller increases than announced or what are in fact larger increases. Hence the MEPs call on the three EU institutions to provide themselves with a clear methodology for the figures and say that they will use constant prices (2018 prices) and figures taking account of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU.
The draft resolution expresses the MEPs’ disappointment about the proposed global level of the next MFF, which represents 1.08% of the EU-27 GNI after deducting the European Development Fund (currently 0.03% of EU GNI outside the EU budget). Parliament underlines that this global level in terms of GNI percentage is lower in real terms than the level of the current MFF, despite the additional funding needed for new political priorities and emerging challenges for the EU and recalls that the current MFF is smaller than its predecessor (the 2007-2013 MFF) and has been shown to be inadequate to finance the Union’s pressing needs;
Parliament deplores the fact that this proposal leads directly to a 15% reduction for the Common Agricultural Policy and a 10% reduction for the Cohesion Policy and says it ‘is particularly opposed to any radical cuts that will adversely impact on the very nature and objectives of these policies,’ in particular the cuts proposed for the Cohesion Fund (by 45%) or for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (by more than 25%). Parliament questions, in this context, the proposal to reduce the European Social Fund by 6% despite its enlarged scope and the integration of the Youth Employment Initiative.
Parliament supports the Commission proposals on the reform of the EU own resources system and the phasing out of the rebates for the United Kingdom and other countries. It sends a message to the Council, which it says should ‘act in consistency with the political commitments that it has already undertaken and will be courageous in its approach; is concerned that the Commission’s proposal weakens the main EU solidarity policies, and intends to negotiate with the Council with the aim of building a more ambitious MFF for the benefit of citizens.’ (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)