On Wednesday, the Commission unveiled its proposals for the European Union’s multiannual budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF) for 2028 to 2034. A key aspect of these proposals is the plan to consolidate major spending categories, such as agriculture and cohesion, into a single large budget allocation for each member state, which will be required to create a national plan in collaboration with the Commission.
While his party, N-VA, advocates for subsidiarity, Van Overtveldt expresses concerns about the practical implementation and oversight of this approach. “It should not be the case that more authority is given to the Commission at the expense of the powers of the elected Parliament,” stated the Belgian chairman of the budget committee in the chamber, referencing the many uncertainties surrounding the specific execution of the proposals.
Van Overtveldt is supportive of the proposed changes to the multiannual budget, viewing them as a response to his call for “a future-proof budget prioritizing defense, migration, and innovation.” However, he criticizes the Commission’s inclination to impose additional taxes on major corporations in its quest for new revenue, labeling it as “absurd” during a time when there is a need for those companies to remain competitive, particularly against large American firms.
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