The European Parliament generally united on Tuesday 13 November in Strasbourg to defend an ambitious future multiannual financial framework (MFF) amounting to 1.3% of the EU's (EUROPE) gross national income (GNI). On Wednesday 14 November, the Parliament will vote without difficulty on its position on the MFF 2021-2027 in order to be able to start negotiating as soon as possible with the Council (see EUROPE 12131).
"The starting point for the European Parliament is a total volume of 1.3% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI), but we are ready to negotiate, to complete the work in time", said rapporteur Jan Olbrycht (EPP, Poland).
Do not cut off EU funding. Isabelle Thomas (S&D, France), another rapporteur, immediately denounced the cuts proposed by the European Commission (-16% for the common agricultural policy, -10% for cohesion policy, -7% for the European Social Fund, -45% for the poorest regions...). She criticised the positions of France and Germany, in particular, which "praise the EU in front of the cameras and work underhand to cut off its funding".
Janusz Lewandowski (EPP, Poland) summarised that the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU represented an opportunity to reform the EU's own resources system. He considered that Brexit did not pose a threat to the EU budget, as Berlin and Warsaw are ready to contribute more to the EU budget. The expenditure and revenue sides are part of the same package, Lewandowski said, acknowledging that the Parliament has no power over the actual resources.
Jean Arthuis (ALDE, France), on behalf of Gérard Deprez, another rapporteur, defended in particular the introduction of a tax on the activities of digital giants and a tax on financial transactions. He criticised the Council for having made little progress towards a common position and hoped that agreement would be reached in 2019 on the next MFF. Finally, he advocated "breaking up the wilderness of discounts".
Difficult compromises. On behalf of the Austrian Presidency, Mrs Karoline Edtstadler highlighted the ongoing efforts to achieve "progress by the end of the year". Discussions and compromises are difficult, she recalled, as evidenced by the latest debates at the General Affairs Council (see EUROPE 12135).
In 2019, but not in 2020! "The sooner we decide on the MFF, the better", said Günther Oettinger, EU Budget Commissioner. The best option is April 2019, according to him, or in autumn 2019, but not in 2020, otherwise there will be a delay in starting the programmes. The Parliament also aims for a political agreement before the European elections in May 2019, while the Council is divided on the respect of this very tight timetable. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)