On Tuesday 3 September, members of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets criticised the EU Council's “blind” cuts in the proposal on the EU budget for 2020.
The EU Council formally adopted its position on the draft budget for 2020 (see EUROPE 12293/6) on the same day. It provides for a total of €166.8 billion in commitment appropriations and €153.1 billion in payment appropriations, which represents, compared to 2019, +0.6% in commitments and +3.3% in payments.
Compared to the draft budget presented by the Commission, the EU Council's position represents a decrease of €1.5 billion in commitments and €508 million in payments.
However, the EU Council forecasts an increase of 2.72% for the 'competitiveness' heading, +3.73% for Horizon 2020 or +2.49% for Erasmus+.
Blind cuts. European Parliament rapporteur on the 2020 budget, Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany), protested against the “blind cuts carried out only for technocratic reasons”.
Pierre Larrouturou (S&D, France) pointed out that, according to Commission figures, there is a shortfall each year of “between 170 and 290 billion euros” to meet needs, particularly in the field of climate change. However, the Commission has proposed an increase of only €0.4 billion for 2020.
Clotilde Armand (Renew Europe, Romania) highlighted the “widening east-west divide” at the end of the EU financial framework 2014-2020 due to problems encountered by some countries in absorbing funds.
Rasmus Andresen (Greens/EFA, Germany) said he was “shocked” by the choices made by the EU Council. “The objectives of the Paris Agreement are not being met”, he warned.
The EU Council's position will serve as a mandate for the Finnish Presidency to negotiate an agreement on the EU budget for 2020 with the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets will adopt the budget amendments between 30 September and 3 October. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)