Budget 2028–2035, EU Commission insists on new own resources

From the correspondent in Strasbourg – Rethinking Europe and how it works. The next multi-year budget (MFF 2028–2034) is already a headache. The European Commission is still keeping its cards close to its chest, but it is presenting some preparatory guidelines for what is to come. The budget communication, presented by Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the sidelines of the European Parliament’s plenary session, is a political guideline for member states since it is up to the national governments to indicate intentions and willingness to contribute. With their own resources, first of all.

“A broad agreement on ‘what’ to finance, i.e., investment needs for the coming years, is a key prerequisite for agreeing on ‘how’ to finance it,” reads the Commission’s communication. It is a call first to establish the order of priorities. The EU executive starts by making a list of new and renewed challenges. Defence, support for Ukraine, enlargement that sooner or later will happen, also due to an acceleration of the accession process, the climate emergency with extreme weather phenomena. Moreover, food security and asylum seekers. Plus, traditional programs such as agriculture, cohesion, and research. Too much to be able to think straight.

“It is clear that we will face major challenges in the coming years,” Dombrovskis stressed. Finding the right formula for the functioning of the EU without compromising ambition and effectiveness “will therefore be a challenging task.” Because, and it is put in black and white in the communication, “Europe must square the circle: there can be no EU budget to match our ambitions and in particular to ensure the reimbursement of NextGenerationEU and, at the same time, stable national financial contributions without introducing new own resources,” warns the document produced by the EU executive. Translated, “choices need to be made.” It also means equipping the European Commission with financial instruments all to be sought and found quickly. “We hope that lawmakers will make progress,” Dombrovskis insists in a clear call to the EU Council and Parliament.

This political and technical activity will also include a citizens’ panel, which will bring together 150 Europeans to discuss and provide tangible proposals for the next EU budget. This forum will be accompanied by an online platform allowing everyone to participate in the debate. “Moreover, Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin will tour the EU throughout 2025 to conduct individual consultations with member state authorities, regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the EU budget,” the Commission explains.