Their message is that the EU executive is not yet ready to make compromises to appease lawmakers and national capitals.
The Commission’s statement did not directly reference Fitto’s comments, but it came hours after the Italian politician publicly suggested that the Commission is open to improving part of the proposal during a session of the Committee of Regions, a Brussels body representing local entities.
Fitto referred to some provisions in the budget proposal that could be amended to give regions, rather than national governments, more power in handling EU public funding.
While his remarks were not explosive, they highlight simmering tensions over one of the most divisive files in Brussels, as well as von der Leyen’s tough treatment of those who defy the official line.
The Commission presented its proposal for the EU’s long-term budget in July. The EU’s 27 governments and the European Parliament must unanimously approve the plan.
As part of the budget negotiations, von der Leyen’s European People’s Party (EPP) is threatening to reject a controversial plan to merge agriculture subsidies and funds for Europe’s poorest regions into single pots controlled by national capitals.
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