The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament consider it time to modernise the EU’s public finances and finally give the Union the budget it needs. A reliable, robust, flexible and people-centred EU budget is instrumental for the implementation of the Union’s policies given the current geopolitical context, climate change and its consequences, as well as the societal challenges we face. This is the main message the Socialists and Democrats convey to the European Commission in response to the Commission communication "The Road to the next Multiannual Financial Framework" adopted at the last meeting of the European Commissioners. The S&D Group expects the final proposal of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to promote economic, social and territorial cohesion. To this end, the Socialists and Democrats call for strong cohesion policy instruments, created with the support of the EU's regions and other stakeholders. The S&Ds also call on member states and the European Commission to respect the role of the European Parliament – the only democratic body of the EU, elected directly by the citizens – in the process of negotiations on what priorities to fund and how to do it best.

Carla Tavares, co-rapporteur on the post-2027 MFF in the European Parliament's committee on budgets, said:

“Before talking numbers, we expect the European Parliament, the member states and the European Commission to agree on the priorities that the next Multiannual Financial Framework will fund. As S&Ds, we consider that the transition to a sustainable economy and society must, above all, be socially fair and just. Massive investments, both public and private, are needed to not only promote the EU’s strategic autonomy but also advance towards the achievement of our Green Deal goals.

“People, workers, the most vulnerable among our citizens, and the environment have to be at the centre of the future MFF, including through the new Competitiveness Fund. It would be unacceptable if this fund serves only the pursuit of economic progress without ensuring social equality and justice. The Socialists and Democrats reiterate the need for a sufficiently resourced new MFF with strengthened and modernised revenues, notably via new genuine own resources, to ensure sustainable financing for our common policies, our new priorities and the repayment of our joint debt. This is the moment to break free from the self-imposing and unduly restrictive 1% of EU-27’s GNI limit that has prevented the Union from delivering on its ambitions and deprived us of the ability to respond to crises and emerging needs.

“The next MFF will be crucial in ensuring the EU's capacity to respond to our citizens' needs. The S&Ds will work tirelessly for an ambitious and bold MFF that promotes social and territorial equality – involving regional and local authorities – that ensures sufficient investment on defence and upholds the rule of law and the Union's values. In this respect, we are in favour of ensuring social conditionality in all our programmes under the next MFF so that no EU funding can be channelled to any recipient unless they respect the right to decent working conditions.”