Bernd Koelmel (ALFA), spokesman on budgetary affairs of the ECR group criticises lack of willingness for budget cuts

Brussels, 28^th September, 2016 – During today’s voting in the committee on budgetary affairs of the European Parliament the spokesman on budgetary affairs of the ECR group, Bernd Koelmel (ALFA), criticised the lack of will to cut EU-budgets of the upcoming year. The ALFA-MEP did however acknowledge the committee’s approval of his party’s proposition to support victims of terrorism.

“We would like to help the victims and traumatized eye-witnesses of the attacks in Ansbach, Brussels, Munich, Nice and Paris. The additional five million Euro will allow paying for medical bills and psychological support, which are not in every case covered by national insurances. Financial support is absolutely necessary in this matter. “

The remaining resolutions of the committee concerning the EU-budget for 2017 are considered less pleasing by Koelmel: “The majority of the MEPs seem to act according to the motto ‘The more money, the better’.” All suggestions of the council for cuts were taken back by the parliament, including several reasonable proposals.” Whereas the committee on budgetary affairs wants to raise the 157 billion Euro compulsory expenses that have been suggested by the council, by another almost four billion Euro.

Furthermore, Koelmel regrets the failure of ALFA’s proposal to freeze so-called pre-accession aids for Turkey until Ankara had again proven its rule of law. 

„The European Parliament should rather help to reform Europe and put it back on its feet. Therefore, a targeted and slim budget is pursued also is in the interest of the taxpayers by the ECR-group and ALFA. The budgetary committee has not been fulfilling its responsibilities in this regard”, states Koelmel.  

ENDS

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