The agreement by European leaders on a new EU budget and the corona fund shows that the European Union can respond quickly and adequately, according to the European Commission. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the agreement proves that even in a crisis, the EU finds the “courage and imagination” “to think big.”
However, the leaders have significantly cut, trimmed, and shuffled the plans presented by the European Commissioners. Important topics for the European Commission have to make do with sometimes many millions less than initially proposed. Among others, healthcare and migration have suffered, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen observed immediately after the 27 European leaders reached an agreement. She pointed out that the plans had only started a few months ago.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects “very difficult discussions” with the European Parliament, which still has to consider the hard-won compromise. The leaders of the 27 EU member states, in search of an agreement acceptable to all, have cut, reduced, or reworked beyond recognition all kinds of plans that the EU Parliament valued. If the European Parliament wants changes to the deal, everything could be uncertain again.
Promotion
The European Parliament will meet on Thursday to discuss the agreement of the 27 heads of government, who further lowered the Commission's budget proposal, partly by increasing their own annual rebates, cutting future plans, and eliminating financial reserves. The Parliament is known for wanting a much higher EU budget, with higher national contributions to the EU.
Parliament President David Sassoli said on Tuesday that European citizens expect an agreement that fulfills this historic moment (after Brexit, amid the corona crisis). “We are concerned about a future in which European solidarity and joint action will disappear.”
The priorities of the European Parliament are clear. We expect these to be realized. The EU multiannual budget must provide answers to the main challenges Europe faces in the medium term, such as the Green Deal, digitalization, economic resilience, and the fight against inequality,” Sassoli said.
GroenLinks is pleased that the heads of government agreed on the European multiannual budget and the corona recovery fund. However, a final deal will only be reached once the European Parliament also agrees. According to GroenLinks MEP Bas Eickhout, there is still much room for improvement.
“The ambition for a green and joint recovery from the corona crisis has been lowered. A modern budget that defends climate and the rule of law has been weakened, partly due to the wrong priorities of Prime Minister Rutte. The European Parliament must now fight for this.”
PvdA MEP Agnes Jongerius criticized the primarily financial Dutch approach: “Prime Minister Rutte worships the golden calf: short-sighted self-interest has caused him to sell out essential matters like sustainability and innovation. Furthermore, he does not attach much value to the rule of law and democracy.
Unfortunately, Rutte presents himself as a net contributor, but he conceals how much we benefit from the EU. The Netherlands profits greatly from the EU and the euro. As a tax haven, we also harm other European countries. This attitude of Rutte will echo diplomatically for a long time.
It is also inexplicable that, especially due to the stance of the frugal four, the agreement comes at the expense of reforms. Countries that do not respect the rule of law seem to get away with it again. Precisely now, cuts to sustainability, development cooperation, and innovation are indefensible, Jongerius said.