24 Nov. Multiannual financial framework: The EU must unite to ensure the rule of law
For the first time, the EU Parliament has agreed on a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that provides clear budget quotas for climate action, species protection, biodiversity conservation and a carbon tax. In addition to the basic budget of 1,074 billion euros for the period from 2021 to 2027, 750 billion euros were approved as a recovery plan against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and an additional 16 billion euros for important research and education programs such as EU4Health, Horizon Europe and the Erasmus program. So after tough negotiations, MEPs agreed on a solid Multiannual Financial Framework that is in line with the objectives of the Green Deal, improves the situation for education, science and healthcare and, for the first time, also provides a strong instrument to ensure the rule of law, allowing financial sanctions to be imposed for violations of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
The principle of the rule of law is one of the fundamental principles of the EU and must therefore also define the next MFF. The rule of law instrument pushed through by my group is an important lever for this.
However, on November 16, the governments of Hungary and Poland vetoed the proposal for the new MFF in order to undermine the rule of law. This not only stops the entire budget, but also blocks the important coronavirus recovery package: "This Multiannual Financial Framework is the cornerstone of a sustainable European Union. An EU that is in the middle of a pandemic and has to overcome several crises at the same time", comments Manuela Ripa, MEP of the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP). "The principle of the rule of law is one of the cornerstones of the EU and must therefore also define the next MFF. The rule of law instrument pushed through by my group is an important lever for this. So far, the EU has condoned the deterioration of the rule of law in Hungary and Poland. This strategy of looking the other way must not be allowed to continue when Budapest and Warsaw withhold important EU funds from their citizens. At the same time, the EU must not allow Viktor Orbán and Jarosław Kaczyński to jeopardize the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of EU citizens through their veto in order to continue to give free rein to an autocratic government and the erosion of fundamental rights and the rule of law. Now that the EU Council has confirmed the rule of law instrument by qualified majority, the German Presidency, Charles Michel, the President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen must ensure that Hungary and Poland recognize the urgency of the situation and that the principle of the rule of law is a defining characteristic of the EU to which they themselves belong and from which they themselves benefit. Parliament has done its job."
After Hungary and Poland vetoed the new MFF, heads of state and government exchanged views in a video conference. According to the EU Council, a large majority supports the MFF presented by Parliament. However, the necessary unanimity has not yet been reached. Further developments are expected in the coming days.