EU Budget Proposals
The proposed single national fund in the upcoming European Union budget risks stripping protections from citizens and centralizing spending choices under national governments, adnkronos.com reported.
Speaking during an Adnkronos live broadcast from the European Parliament, Greens/EFA MEP Leoluca Orlando criticized the Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028-2034 period, which proposes combining funds for social policy, defense, agriculture, and fisheries. Orlando argued that centralizing decisions strips away the voices of regional authorities.
The risk is a form of government sovereignism that ultimately damages local autonomies, Orlando told adnkronos.com. While acknowledging that local things are sometimes done poorly, he distinguished between correcting regional errors and undermining the principle of matching community needs rather than making abstract choices in a Roman office.
“I want the EU to ultimately decide,” said Leoluca Orlando, Member of the European Parliament, in remarks reported by adnkronos.com, expressing concern that farmers could pay the price if agricultural funds are diverted toward defense or competitiveness.
External Action Funding Cuts
Orlando criticized proposed cuts to the EU’s external action budget by the Irish presidency of the Council of the EU as an unacceptable reduction in resources. retechiara.it reported that he described the move as a step backward from the global cooperation needed to counter isolated national leadership styles.
The 0.4% increase in the MFF over previous forecasts fails to cover inflation while demands rise for digital and defense spending.
Orlando Advocates for a Unified European Army
Security is a progressive value centered on human rights rather than a concept belonging to the political right, according to Orlando. He advocated for a unified European army rather than twenty-seven separate national forces, which he called harmful and beneficial only to arms merchants, as reported by adnkronos.com.
“Tanto credo alla sicurezza e tanto credo all’Europa che io sono per un esercito europeo comune,” said Leoluca Orlando, Member of the European Parliament, to adnkronos.com.
Questions About The EU Budget and Reforms
What is the Multiannual Financial Framework?
The Multiannual Financial Framework sets the long-term EU budget for the 2028-2034 period, totaling resources across policy areas like agriculture, defense, and social funds.
Why do critics oppose the single national fund?
Critics argue the fund centralizes spending decisions at the national government level and strips power from local regional authorities.
What changes are proposed for EU revenue?
Leoluca Orlando called for an increase in the EU’s own resources, noting that approximately 55 percent of current funding relies on direct contributions from member states.
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