Our position was clear from day one: we want a budget that works for the people. A budget that can deliver for our citizens, protect our values, and uphold European sovereignty. <\/p>\n
If we ask the Union to respond to wars, drive innovation, support farmers and regions, strengthen defence, and lead the twin transition, the budget must rise to meet those ambitions. <\/p>\n
We cannot do more with less. <\/p>\n
To turn our political commitments and ambitions into reality, we are proposing the next MFF to be set at 1.27 percent of EU gross national income. Our Union simply cannot face new geopolitical, economic and social challenges while running on a shoestring and implementing reforms at the expense of our farmers, our regions, or the most vulnerable in society. <\/p>\n
Based on this reasoning, leaders of the pro-European groups requested \u2014 last autumn \u2014 stand-alone policies and budgets on agriculture and cohesion, fisheries and social policies governed by dedicated regulations, including for proper budgetary accountability. These policies bind our Union together and are the backbone of European solidarity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am a firm believer that the next MFF must be a powerful instrument to reduce inequality, combat poverty and promote social inclusion. This is why the European Pillar of Social Rights<\/a> and social investments must be placed at the core of the EU budget. <\/p>\n Addressing the growing housing crisis<\/a> requires a coordinated response \u2013 one that guarantees decent, affordable housing for millions of citizens, and leverages EU funds strategically with genuine partnerships with regions and local authorities. <\/p>\n We welcome the significant boost proposed for competitiveness, defence and security, research, infrastructure, health preparedness, and education. <\/p>\n This is a signal that Europe is serious about its strategic autonomy. <\/p>\n Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, AgoraEU<\/a> and civil protection must be properly resourced.\u00a0 Investing in young people, skills and civil society is essential for Europe\u2019s competitiveness, resilience and shared identity \u2013 to shape our joint future.<\/p>\n To remain a reliable global actor, one that supports international law and the rules-based order, the EU needs the well-resourced external action instrument \u201cGlobal Europe\u201d to ensure development cooperation, standing with Ukraine, supporting enlargement, peacebuilding and reconstruction in the Middle East as well as upholding human rights and democracy worldwide. <\/p>\n We also call for renewed attention to overseas territories, not least in light of recent geopolitical pressures \u2013 among them, the situation in Greenland<\/a>.<\/p>\n None of these ambitions is sustainable without a modern revenue base: new, genuine own resources. Not only to repay pandemic-era debt, but also \u2013 crucially \u2013 to fund Europe\u2019s enhanced responsibilities.<\/p>\n One of the most concerning aspects of the Commission proposal \u2013 that remains to be addressed in the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) \u2013 is the introduction of new forms of macroeconomic conditionality. <\/p>\n Fiscal austerity is gift for the far-right<\/p>\n In practice, this would make fiscal austerity a precondition for accessing European funds \u2013 and it would hand far-right populists exactly the ammunition they need: a narrative of punitive, top-down interference by Brussels demanding the tightening of belts. <\/p>\n We draw a clear and firm line here. When it forced to choose between solidarity and austerity, we will always choose solidarity.<\/p>\n Rule-of-law conditionality remains essential for us. Respect for the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights must be a prerequisite for accessing EU funding. This is not about punishment; it is about safeguarding the very foundations of our Union. <\/p>\n Parliament must be fully informed about procedures related to these conditions, ensuring proper democratic scrutiny.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-15-at-15.43.52.png\")
Carla Tavares MEP, leading co-negotiator for the Socialists & Democrats in the parliament on the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c4a5537b-7a42-4837-be5e-a7289d8b3c06-e32b3f86-c33e-40d8-a4a2-06f1b662aade-dfffbb67-5125-4a7d-949a-f8.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Magyar_Peter_2024._aprilis-an-600x399.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n