Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary: von der Leyen’s MFF under fire from multiple fronts

Brussels – The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, presented yesterday by the European Commission, currently appears to be on the verge of being scrapped. Obviously, this will not happen; on that basis, it will be negotiated, and probably much will remain standing at the end of the two years of talks ahead of the final launch with the unanimous vote of the governments and the absolute majority of the Parliament. 

The reception of the plan was among the worst. In Parliament, for now, opposition came from all sides, from the Populars to the Socialists, to the Liberals, to the Greens, to the Left, and to the Right. “A joke” was one of the less aggressive comments from MEPs who feel they have been robbed of their role to intervene and oversee EU policies.

 The President of the Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő, called the project a “MONSTER” (yes, capitalized in the original text), aimed to “swallow cohesion policy and crack its backbone by nationalizing and centralizing it.”

Even the reception from the governments was poor. So far, only a few have spoken out, only three, but three important ones: powerful Germany, the Netherlands, which traditionally leads the hawks (although there will be parliamentary elections in the autumn), and Russia-friendly Hungary, which likes to get in the way of the policies of the 27 member states whenever it can. So, three countries that count, which can lead to one or more groups capable of blocking everything. 

Berlin immediately rejected its compatriot’s proposal, stating that “an overall increase in the EU budget is unacceptable at a time when all member states are making significant efforts to consolidate their national budgets,” government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said bluntly: “Therefore, we will not be able to accept the Commission’s proposal.” 

Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen pointed out that “the EU is important for our prosperity, but the proposed budget is too high,” a classic Dutch position. “We should not always focus on how the EU can spend more,” the minister explained, “but rather on how the existing funds can be spent better. We need a more modern budget, in which the available funds are used more intelligently and efficiently. For example, by focusing on competitiveness, innovation, and security.”

The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban chose X to express his discontent with the new MFF, aiming to stir up the agricultural world: “A shocking new EU budget leak reveals a dangerous gamble: Ukraine would get a massive funding boost, while European farmers lose out. This plan risks sidelining rural Europe and threatening families across the continent. Brussels must not abandon Europe’s farmers to bankroll Ukraine.”

Negotiations will take place; there is time. Many governments favor some measures, such as centralizing agriculture and cohesion spending. If governments align, then it will become difficult for Parliament to oppose. Although achieving an absolute majority remains a challenging goal, the start is certainly not encouraging.