The EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) ensures for periods of 7 years each the financing of common programmes in all policy areas in Europe ranging from agriculture to research, from regional policy to foreign aid. With Brexit looming, the EU has to face a funding gap of around 15 billion euros per year for the next budgetary period 2021-2027. At the same time, it has to tackle new challenges such as migration, security and defence, the digital transition and climate change. Many Member States have already rejected both expenditure increase and cuts in agricultural and regional funds, as well as new criteria for the allocation of money linked to rule of law and refugees.
EU BUDGET
A new framework for funding the future of Europe
EU negotiators make last-ditch try to seal 2019 budget
The budget covers everything from agricultural subsidies and support for poorer regions to research and education programmes.
Negotiators meet to finalize EU’s 2019 budget
European finance ministers set to meet in hopes of finalizing the EU's 2019 budget.
Eurozone ministers urge inflexible Italy to drop budget defiance
Eurozone finance ministers urge Italy to reverse course on its rule-breaking budget amid fears of market turmoil and a return of the debt crisis.
EU rejects Italy’s budget in eurozone first
The European Commission has rejected Italy's draft 2019 budget, the first time the EU executive has ever sent a member state back to the drawing board over spending plans
Brussels vs. Italy: the budget battle ahead
The European Commission says Italy's budget plans are a serious concern as it warns Rome could be sanctioned for breaking commitments to Brussels
Main points of Italy’s draft ‘people’s budget’
Italy's populist coalition has submitted its draft 2019 budget to the European Commission, forecasting an increase in the public deficit to 2.4 percent of gross domestic product.