Danish minister slams Parliament for budget threats, defends controversial reforms
EU countries are divided on the reforms, and Tuesday's budget debate will expose whether the Danes really have the backing they need to charge ahead with the controversial structure
Denmark’s Europe Minister Marie Bjerre criticised MEPs for threatening to block budget negotiations and defended the Commission’s controversial plan to merge farmer and regional funds into national plans in the EU’s next €2 trillion-heavy budget.
“I don’t think it’s a good outset for the discussion of the MFF [Multiannual Financial Framework] to reject a new structure to start with,” she said on Tuesday morning, when asked about Parliament’s threat to reject the plans. It “is not fruitful for the negotiation of the budget and not fruitful for wanting a stronger Europe”.
The statements confirm a draft document obtained by Euractiv, suggesting that the Danish-led Council is proceeding within the Commission’s proposed structure for the bloc’s next seven-year budget from 2028-2034.
“Combining agriculture funds, cohesion [regional] funds, linking with results, is delivering on the need for economic results,” and the proposal is a good starting point to address Europe’s defence and lagging productivity needs, Bjerre said.
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But EU countries are themselves divided on the reforms, and Tuesday’s budget debate between ministers will expose whether the Danes really have the backing they need to charge ahead with the controversial structure.
“I’m absolutely not that optimistic about this particular model,” said Ignacy Niemczycki, state secretary at the Polish foreign affairs ministry.
“I would never criticise a democratically elected Parliament for exercising its functions,” said Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Thomas Byrne, and called for a strong agricultural subsidies policy.
(vib)
