MEPs pushed for a reform of the EU budget to respond more effectively to evolving needs, address funding gaps, increase flexibility and extend the capacity to respond in a crisis. This demand for revising the current multiannual financial framework (MFF) was made in a resolution entitled “Upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges”, which was adopted in plenary on 15 December 2022.

The resolution includes various proposals on how the headings of the current MFF should be revised in order to react to the unprecedented crises followed by the war in Ukraine. It is emphasised that the current MFF has already been “pushed to its limits” less than two years after it was adopted, a situation aggravated by the unforeseeable events of 2022. It is pointed out that the MFF is “simply not equipped, in terms of size, structure or rules, to respond quickly and effectively to a multitude of crises” and “leaves the Union ill-equipped to respond to any potential future crises and needs”.

MEPs call on the Commission to proceed with a legislative proposal for a comprehensive, ambitious revision of the MFF regulation. The MFF must be scaled up “to ensure a stronger and more agile EU budget which meets the highest standards of transparency and democratic accountability”. Therefore, an increase in the MFF ceilings, as well as an increase in and redesign of budgetary flexibility is requested.

The resolution includes the main parameters for a revised MFF, including the need for flexibility and crisis response in the EU budget. Ultimately, MEPs underline that the assessment of new features of the MFF must also lay the ground for the post-2027 MFF in support of a more resilient EU budget. (TW)