On Thursday 12 November, the European Parliament decided to set the overall level of appropriations for the 2021 budget (all sections) at €181.7 billion in commitment appropriations, an increase of €15 billion compared to the draft budget plan presented by the European Commission. This €15 billion increase will benefit the EU’s priority programmes (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, etc.), in line with the European Parliament’s strategy in the negotiations on the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The MEPs also decided to make available €1.6 billion in commitment appropriations following the ‘de-commitments’ made under the provisions of the ‘Financial Regulation’.
In adopting the report by Pierre Larrouturou (S&D, France) on the EU 2021 budget (by 471 votes to 102, with 116 abstentions), the European Parliament noted that “the level should be adjusted after the publication of the amending letter”, which will take into account the outcome of the agreements on the 2021-2027 MFF.
In addition, the European Parliament notes its position, under which at least 10% of spending in 2021 should support biodiversity and at least 30% should embed efforts to tackle climate change.
Johannes Hahn, the EU Budget Commissioner, called on the European Parliament to move negotiations on sectoral programmes forward with the Council of the EU.
After the plenary vote, three weeks of conciliation negotiations can begin with the Council of the EU, with the aim of reaching an agreement in time for the next annual budget to be adopted by Parliament and signed by its President in December. The first conciliation meeting between the Council of the EU and Parliament is scheduled for 19 November. The Commission is expected to publish its amending letter incorporating the agreements on the MFF and the Recovery Plan in the near future.
The European Parliament resolution on the 2021 budget can be found at: https://bit.ly/38EEbRy (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)