In the midst of tensions and hard backstage negotiations, the European Commission presents, with delay, the plan for the Union’s new long -term budget. For the period 2028-2035 includes the largest increase in spending on, triggering political and budgetary reactions.
The new framework provides for a total cost of almost 2 trillion euros, against 1.2 trillion. of the previous MP, recording the largest fiscal increase in the history of the Union. The Commission’s proposals stand out:
- EUR 300 billion for agriculture, in the period 2028–2034, with the aim of supporting the agricultural economy and boosting food self -sufficiency.
- EUR 100 billion for Ukraine, in a strategic commitment to rebuilding and supporting the country.
- Enhanced funds for European defense and digital transformation.
- Expanding the spending on green transition, with new funding tools.
Eruption of tensions and delays before publication
The climate that preceded the presentation was anything but consensual. The press conference of the President of the Commission was delayed in two and a half hours, as a result of strong internal conflicts between Member States. At the heart of the disagreements lies the distribution of expenditure and the political priorities incorporated into the new multi -year budgetary framework (MS), which will determine Europe’s economic architecture for the next eight years.
2 trillion euros and historical cost increase
The new budget ceiling reaches 2 trillion euros, a figure that is a record for the EU. Expanding needs – from defensive support and support of Ukraine to green transition and competitiveness strategy – dictates a drastically increased fiscal plan. However, the funding of this new scale brings to the forefront faults between the countries of the European North and the South, as well as the old and new members.
The most “sparing” countries are reacting to the prospect of common lending and to increase their contribution, highlighting the risk for their national budgetary. At the same time, countries with a strong agricultural base are pushing for the maintenance of common agricultural policy funds, while less developed regions insist on cohesion as a priority.
Multimodal field of controversy
According to the committee’s agenda, the presentation of the MSc was made on three basic parts:
The body of the new budget was presented by Ursula von der Layen and Budget Commissioner Serafin, with an emphasis on the three new pillars: national investment plans, European competitiveness fund and enhanced external funding.
The strategy of durability and defense, through the mouth of executive Vice President Stephanie Cézourne, highlighted the need for adequate funding of the European defense base in response to the geopolitical risk.
Social cohesion and agricultural policy, with interventions by Vice Presidents Roxana Minzatou and Rafael Filo and Commissioner for Georgia Hansen, have aimed to reassure the regions and the rural world, which require clear funding guarantees.
The political dimension and message of von der Laien
The von der Layen presented the new MPA in response to the Union’s existential challenges: the enhancement of geostrategic autonomy, the resilience of economies and social peace. Indirectly but clearly, the President of the Commission sought to set the new proposals at the center of a deepening of European integration, at a time when Europe is under strong pressure from both external crises and internal centrifugal forces.
In front of a long and difficult round of negotiation
The presentation of the MSc does not signal the end, but the beginning of a difficult negotiation process between Member States and EU institutions. In the coming period, strong fermentations, exchanges of political compromises and pressure from social and economic actors are expected.
Whether the European Union will be able to form a common budget worthy of the circumstances – without breaking the fragile thread of the unity – will be judged in the coming months. The MSc 2028-2035 is not just an accounting plan: it is the endurance test of the European venture at the dawn of the new decade.
