Von der Leyen offers adjustments to EU 2028-2034 budget

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has offered possible adjustments to the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, partially accommodating the demands of centrist parties in the European Parliament.

Members of the European People’s Party (EPP, center-right), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D, center-left), the liberal Renew Europe group, and the Greens threatened to reject the MFF proposal if their demands were not met, CE Report quotes HINA.

They called on the Commission to amend a key part of its proposal, which foresees the merging of funds for farmers and cohesion policy into single funds managed by the governments of the 27 Member States.

President von der Leyen, in a letter sent to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, offered some concessions but did not back down from the plan to merge agricultural and cohesion funds.

Von der Leyen proposed that at least 10 percent of the total amount allocated to Member States in their national plans for agriculture and cohesion be earmarked for “rural objectives,” in addition to the €300 billion already foreseen in the original proposal. Furthermore, she proposed protective measures that would allow full inclusion of regional authorities in the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of plans, including the Common Agricultural Policy.

In the MFF proposal published by the Commission in July, a total of €2 trillion is planned for the seven-year period. Of this, €865 billion is allocated for agriculture and cohesion. Within this €865 billion, a minimum of €302 billion is secured for support to farmers and fishers, and at least €218 billion for the poorest regions. These are minimum guaranteed amounts for these purposes and could be higher depending on national plans.

After today’s video meeting with European Parliament President Metsola and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, whose country currently holds the EU Council presidency, von der Leyen spoke on X.

She said that the meeting was “constructive” and that “goals in three key areas have been clarified and strengthened: enhancing the role of regions, reinforcing the identity of the Common Agricultural Policy, and governance.”

“Now we have a clear understanding of the proposal and a clear way forward,” von der Leyen wrote. Metsola said the proposal is “a good step forward.”

foto PAR BACKSTROM