Reactions to the European Commission's new EU budget proposal
An agreement on the new EU budget requires backing from all 27 member countries and sign-off from the European Parliament.
"We can never accept that common EU funds go to countries that don't respect basic democratic principles and European values"
"We won't solve the EU's problems with a bigger budget and increased EU contributions, rather through using current resources in a smarter way and putting money where it is really needed."
"The proposed budget is too high. We should not always focus solely on how the EU can spend more, but rather on how existing funds can be spent better"
"This requires tough choices. The financial contribution of the Netherlands to the EU is already significant. We therefore want to see an improvement in our net payment position ... As far as the Netherlands is concerned, new instruments for joint debt are therefore not on the table."
"I welcome the ambition for the new multiannual financial framework presented today by the European Commission"
"I will be ... in Brussels on Friday to defend our priorities: the rearmament of the European continent, supporting our competitiveness and technological sovereignty, the income of our farmers, and the creation of our own resources."
"I welcome the presentation of the proposal on the EU long-term budget by the European Commission, a step which will allow the Council to start working. A budget is not just about numbers— it is the ultimate political decision, a choice about our future, and we need to approach this debate with an open mind and spirit of collective responsibility."
LEAD MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: SIEGFRIED MURESAN, CARLA TAVARES, SANDRA GOMEZ LOPEZ AND DANUSE NERUDOVA
"This draft budget does not leave sufficient funds for critical priorities including competitiveness, cohesion, agriculture, defence, climate adaptation and the investment necessary for a sustainable economy that works for all."
"Parliament stands ready to use all its powers to their full extent to ensure that the next long-term budget matches the Union's ambitions and challenges."
"The inclusion of a 35% climate mainstreaming in the new budget shows the Commission is still serious about supporting decarbonisation efforts across the continent... This is essential to make the 90% climate target by 2040 achievable. It is however a wasted opportunity not to strictly exclude fossil fuel funding from the budget."
"The restructuring of the budget puts at risk the EU's central role in fighting poverty, responding to global crises, and supporting those living in the Global South. The Commission is proposing to merge existing external action instruments into one called Global Europe. This move increases the risk that funding is diverted to serve short-term political gains, rather than used to tackle poverty and inequalities."
"Madame President, your budget and CAP proposal are nothing more or less than a provocation towards the agricultural world. Rethink your approach! There will be no rise in Europe's power without food rearmament!"
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