At the initiative of Renew Europe, the Parliamentary Committee on Budgets (BUDG) decided to make the EU budget for 2021 a budget for combating the economic and health crisis, while making the Council face up to its responsibilities in the context of the ongoing tough negotiations on the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework. BUDG thus adopted a series of amendments increasing by more than 14 billion euros the envelopes of the flagship programs of the EU particularly supported by Renew Europe, such as Horizon 2020, EU4Health, Erasmus, or the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Europol and Frontex. In order to finance these credit enhancements, BUDG recommends making full use of the amounts available under the flexibility instrument and the "contingency margins". Renew Europe recalls nevertheless that an adequate adjustment to the EP position will be necessary following the final agreement on the MFF and Own resources negotiations.
Valérie HAYER (Renaissance, France), spokesperson for Renew Europe within BUDG, said:
"This budget is the one that will launch our recovery. The final outcome on the MFF negotiations will determine its intensity: by reinforcing our flagship programmes, we will make the whole EU more resilient and empower our common economy. Exceptional times require exceptional measures."
Nils TORVALDS (Svenska folkpartiet, Finland), Renew Europe rapporteur for the 2021 budget, added: “The 2021 annual budget is as earlier stated a crossroad between the old and new, between the past Multi-Annual Finance Framework and the next in a very challenging time. Renew Europe's position is clear, we need to have sufficiently funded flagship programmes as well as much needed reaction to the ongoing crisis. The 2021 budget should be and is in the parliament position a budget for the future, through research, Erasmus+, digitalization, health and so much more".
Olivier CHASTEL (MR, Belgium), Renew Europe co-rapporteur for the 2021 budget, concluded: “The 2021 budget will provide targeted reinforcements to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, enabling it to fully carry out its missions aimed at protecting the European budget and ensuring that taxpayers' money is fully used for the realization of policies of general interest. The nature of this body requires a reinforced guarantee of independence in order to enable it to be able to uphold the rule of law in the territory of the Union by effectively combating fraud and corruption”.
