On Thursday 12 July, the negotiating team of the European Parliament lamented the budgetary cuts set out in the Council's position on the draft EU budget for 2019 (see EUROPE 12060).
Parliament's rapporteur on the 2019 budget is reported to have told the budgetary trialogue, which is never conclusive at this stage of the procedure, that these were the biggest cuts made by the member states since 2014 (cut of €1.5 billion in commitment appropriations compared to the European Commission's initial draft). Jean Arthuis (ALDE, France), the chair of Parliament's budget committee, reportedly described it as provocation on the part of the Council.
The cuts made by the Council will affect investments in sectors in which the EU adds value, the MEPs regretted (economy, research, SMEs, transport).
Parliament reiterated its priorities and the Austrian Presidency of the Council recalled the position to be formally adopted in September.
The budgets committee will adopt amendments to the draft 2019 budget on 24 September (on 1 October, it will adopt the resolution accompanying the amendments). The plenary vote will take place on 24 October and the Parliament/Council conciliation period will run from mid-October to 19 November. The 'Budget' Council will meet on 16 November. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)