On Wednesday 2 April, the European Parliament adopted its priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget. 441 MEPs supported the text, 173 opposed it and 70 abstained.
In its guidelines, Parliament calls for greater political and strategic autonomy, improved EU security and defence capabilities and funding for dual-use transport infrastructure.
Additional investment in research, innovation, business, health, energy, migration, border protection, digital and green transitions, job creation and opportunities for young people were called for.
The text’s rapporteur, Andrzej Halicki (EPP, Polish), reported “difficult negotiations between [the] political groups”. Karlo Ressler (EPP, Croatian) had to withdraw two amendments that were red lines for the S&D (see EUROPE 13610/16, 13611/1). The EPP was calling for “appropriate funding for border protection capacity, including physical infrastructure” and for Member States to put in place “specific agreements with third countries to ensure effective returns”.
Another red line for the S&D and the Greens/EFA was the amendment by 45 EPP MEPs calling on the EU to “redirect funds intended for UNRWA in Gaza to other trusted humanitarian aid providers as a precautionary measure”, which was rejected in the vote by 382 votes to 236, with 48 abstentions.
However, three adopted amendments reflect far-right political priorities. They were tabled by Julien Sanchez (PfE, French): Amendment 56 (321 in favour, 318 against, 11 abstentions) highlights that “the EU budget must not in future finance campaigns that directly or indirectly promote the wearing of headscarves”, Amendment 64 (337 in favour, 311 against, 11 abstentions) adds the fight against “anti-Christian hatred” to the fight against antisemitism and Islamophobia, and Amendment 65 (326 in favour, 315 against, 15 abstentions) “regrets the growing number of hate crimes targeting Christians and other religious communities” and “notes that Christians are the most persecuted religious community in the world”.
It should be noted that the amendments by Andrzej Halicki calling on the Commission and the Member States “to explore all possible options to provide additional financial support [to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America]” and by Stine Bosse (Renew Europe, Danish) on “the full and urgent implementation of the agreement establishing an interinstitutional body on ethical standards for the members of the institutions” were both adopted, the second by 5 votes (309 in favour, 304 against and 65 abstentions). (Original version in French by Florent Servia)