05/09/24 (Agence Europe) – “The Member States of the European Union have decided to slash the Erasmus budget by €295 million a year!”, said Emma Rafowicz (S&D, French) on the X social network on Wednesday 4 September. This amount refers to the proposed reduction in commitment appropriations for the 2025 budget only. “Less funding means fewer opportunities for trainees, apprentices and students”, added the socialist MEP. So, to “save Erasmus”, she shared the link to a petition launched by the Young Socialists, whose aim is for the Council to “abandon the reduction in the Erasmus budget”. This reduction was also criticised by several political parties in the Committee on Budgets on Wednesday 4 September (see EUROPE 13475/16). (FS)