European Parliament approves draft framework
The European Parliament has approved its interim report on the EU budget 2028-2034 in Strasbourg, with 370 votes in favour, 201 against and 84 abstentions. The EU budget 2028-2034 sets the political direction for the next long-term financial framework of the Union.
The report marks an important step ahead of negotiations between the Parliament and the European Council to finalise the multiannual financial framework (MFF).
Lawmakers propose that the EU budget 2028-2034 should reach 1.27% of the EU’s gross national income, excluding debt servicing costs linked to the NextGenerationEU recovery fund.
In real terms, the Parliament suggests a total budget of around €1.78 trillion (in 2025 prices), aimed at strengthening key EU policies and long-term strategic goals.
Priority areas in the EU budget 2028-2034 include defence, competitiveness, cohesion policy, agriculture, digital transition, and innovation.
Increased funding and policy focus
MEPs are calling for a 10% increase compared with the European Commission’s initial proposal, arguing that additional funding is needed to support both new and traditional EU priorities.
The EU budget 2028-2034 also foresees stronger support for programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, EU4Health, LIFE, and the Connecting Europe Facility.
The Parliament strongly rejected proposals that would “renationalise” EU funding or introduce a one-country-one-plan model, warning that this could reduce transparency and weaken EU cohesion.
MEPs stressed that the EU budget 2028-2034 must remain a tool for European added value, supporting citizens, regions, businesses and shared policies across member states.
The report reiterates that respect for EU values and the rule of law will remain a condition for accessing EU funds. However, it also clarifies that final beneficiaries should not be penalised for government-level violations.
Cyprus property rights recognition
During the debate, Cypriot MEP Michalis Hadjipantela highlighted that the EU budget 2028-2034 for the first time explicitly recognises the deprivation of property rights of displaced Cypriots.
He described this as a significant acknowledgment of long-standing violations linked to the situation in northern Cyprus and called for further legislative support at EU level.
Next steps
Following approval in Parliament, negotiations will now begin with the European Council to reach a final agreement on the EU budget 2028-2034.
MEPs say the next long-term budget must be agreed on time and reflect both Europe’s strategic ambitions and the needs of its citizens.
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