The European Commission adopted, on Thursday 10 December, the second draft budget for 2021, which foresees a total of €164.2 billion in commitment appropriations (-5.5% compared to the 2020 budget) and €166.0 billion in payments (+1.2% compared to 2020). A preliminary agreement had already been reached between the two arms of the budgetary authority (see EUROPE 12616/2).
The 2021 budget can be endorsed with the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027.
The Conciliation Committee between the EU Council and the European Parliament reached on 4 December a ‘common understanding’ on the content of the budget for 2021.
However, given the circumstances relating to MFF 2021-2027 at that time, the Conciliation Committee was unable to reach agreement on a joint text within the 21-day conciliation period.
The Commission has therefore presented a second draft budget for 2021, based on the common understanding reached by the Conciliation Committee on 4 December. This draft budget provides for increases in commitment appropriations for key programmes and investments contributing to the green and digital transition, growth and employment (Connecting Europe Facility - CEF, Digital Europe programme and LIFE). This second draft general budget will be adopted in plenary next week, together with the new MFF. Link to the text: https://bit.ly/2JME6Bv (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)