On Tuesday 22 October in Strasbourg, MEPs once again deplored the budget cuts made by the EU Council in the 2020 budget and are preparing to increase commitment appropriations as much as possible.
On Wednesday 23 October, the European Parliament will adopt its ambitious position on the EU budget for 2020, providing for a total level of appropriations amounting to €170.97 billion in commitment appropriations, an increase of €2.69 billion compared to the draft budget plan presented by the Commission. The European Parliament foresees €159.14 billion in payments (see EUROPE 12339/9).
The rapporteurs, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial (S&D, Spain) and Monika Holmeier (EPP, Germany), stressed the need to provide sufficient funds, particularly for the fight against climate change.
Kimmo Tiilikainen, on behalf of the Finnish Presidency of the Council, said that Parliament and the EU Council shared the same priorities for the 2020 (climate) budget, but the differences concern the “adequate levels of funding” of the priorities. He has called for “caution” on the level of spending. If Parliament’s amendments were to be endorsed in the final agreement, this would result in a 9.9% increase in the EU countries' GNI (Gross National Income) contribution, he stressed. The EU Council wants a realistic budget with a margin for contingencies, Kimmo Tiilikainen summarised. He noted that Parliament amendments had the effect of exceeding several ceilings (for different sections) of the multiannual financial framework (MFF). However, he said that would be necessary “to avoid overbudgeting”.
Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger estimated that Parliament wanted (compared to the Commission's draft budget plan) €2.7 billion more, while the EU Council is asking for a reduction of €1.5 billion. “I am in the middle”, noted the Commissioner. He asked Parliament to exercise caution, as margins should not be exhausted. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)