The following table describes the status, the proposer and other metadata of this motion.
| Party: | Bündnis90/Die Grünen |
|---|
Res 2. A budget for a sovereign Europe
Main body
A strong EU budget is an investment in a sovereign Europe. A green, just and
resilient Europe needs investment in climate protection, social justice and
security.
We welcome the simplified architecture of the Multiannual Financial
Framework(MFF) and the integration of new priorities such as competitiveness and
innovation, security and defence. However, we criticise the renationalisation of
EU funds through the creation of national envelopes for cohesion, social and
agricultural policy.
Own resources can both stabilise and strengthen the Union’s budget, while
reducing reliance on Member State contributions. The introduction of new own
resources and fair taxation of big tech companies will make the EU budget more
sustainable. This is necessary not only to cover the investments made under the
'NextGenerationEU', but also to enable investment in the future. In addition,
common European borrowing should remain a tool to finance European public goods
and innovative projects.
EU Member States fixating on fiscal austerity rather than acknowledging the need
for extensive investments in key areas, such as the energy sector, security and
defence as well as sustainable infrastructure, are risking the competitiveness
and sovereignty of Europe. Horizontal cuts to the Commission’s proposal would be
a strategic mistake. We call on EU Member States to ensure that the next MFF is
able to support Europe's economic development and sustainability and therefore
its' independence.
Strengthening local communities and European regions
National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) must invest in regions and rural
areas, ensuring Europe’s visibility at the local level. Cohesion Policy and the
European Social Fund+ (ESF+) require guaranteed allocations. NRPPs should enable
a just green transition, invest in sustainable social infrastructure and
implement the European Pillar of Social Rights by promoting equal opportunities,
education and training, and tackling poverty and social exclusion.
At least 30% of NRPP resources should go to rural areas. Local authorities,
civil society, implementing partners and citizens must be involved in
programming and implementation. Shared management must be maintained, with
regions acting as independent partners.
Rule of law, resilient democracies and global solidarity
Growing threats to democracy and open societies require strong rule-of-law
safeguards in the next MFF to ensure transparent EU spending and prevent
corruption and misuse. Independent courts, impartial investigations, independent
journalism and equal application of the law are essential for accountability and
protecting public funds. Where national governments fail to ensure fair and
transparent distribution, the Commission should manage funds directly rather
than penalise regional and local beneficiaries.
Citizens, journalists and civil society must have easy access to information on
EU funding beneficiaries and project implementation. Transparency is key to
preventing corruption and rebuilding democratic trust.
At least 20% of the Global Europe instrument should support resilient societies,
strong civil society, independent media and sound governance, both inside and
outside the EU.
These priorities can strengthen the EU’s resilience and independence, public
trust and democratic accountability.
Demands
The European Green Party calls for:
The MFF must provide at least 1.27% of EU GNI, excluding debt repayment
under 'NextGeneratioEU' financed outside the MFF ceilings and on a more
gradual schedule.
A horizontal spending target of 50 % contributing to climate and
environment protection, as well as 20 % for social policies. Steps must be
taken to ensure that EU funds do not finance activities that cause
significant harm to climate and environmental goals.
The introduction of new own resources, including fair taxation of digital
companies and cryptocurrencies, and the allocation of part of the
Emissions Trading System (ETS) and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
revenues to the EU budget to finance decarbonisation and support a just
transition. To curb aggressive tax competition, a share of corporate tax
revenues should be allocated to the EU, with lower-tax countries
contributing a larger share.
By means of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) the next MFF will
create a new instrument to boost Europe's competitiveness. The Commission
and EU Member States should ensure that the ECF resources are aimed at
creating European added value and transnational infrastructure rather than
strengthening national industries.
The allocated resources for migration and asylum tripled compared to the
current MFF. The additional funding should be directed towards supporting
EU Member States in the protection of asylum seekers and the integration
of migrants, rather than on costly and legally questionable
externalisation programmes such as return hubs outside of the EU.
Introduce effective measures to prevent EU Member States from gold-plating
EU funding through additional administrative burdens.
Background
Negotiations on the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) are entering a critical phase. Member states must now decide how much resources to commit for the 2028–2034 EU budget. In the Council negotiations, two groups are facing off: the “Frugals” (including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria), pushing for substantial budget cuts, and the “Friends of Cohesion” (15–16 southern and eastern such as Spain, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Portugal), seeking to preserve agricultural and cohesion funding. If both camps prevail in their demands, the EU budget risks significant cuts in relevant areas.
This motion calls on member states to invest in emerging priorities, which are currently most at risk of cuts like the European Compettiveness Fund or Global Europe. A sovereign and capable Europe needs investment in innovation, climate protection, research, competitiveness and defence. Additionally, we call for a shift away from reliance on national contributions towards new own resources and tax revenue streams, strengthening the EU’s financial autonomy and ensuring a more sustainable budget.
The motion also stresses the need to firmly embed rule-of-law mechanisms and transparency standards in the use of EU funds by member states.
Co-tabling parties
Bündnis90/Die Grünen, sven.giegold@gruene.de
Зелено движение, georgi.stefanov@zelenodvizhenie.bg
Esquerra Verda, oriolmunozgual@gmail.com
Vihreät - De Gröna, kati.systa@gmail.com
Party board/leadership support
Yes
Would you like to request language review of the text?
Would prefer not
Supporters
- co-tabling, Bündnis90/Die Grünen, Germany
- co-tabling, Zeleno dvizhenie, Bulgaria
- co-tabling, Esquerra Verde, Spain
- co-tabling, Vihreät - De Gröna
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