Quote of the week by Iratxe García, S&D Group president, on EU budget

“The ‘latest Budget’ proposal by Charles Michel is disappointing and unbalanced. I understand the need to be flexible in order to find a compromise, but such a compromise must match the general expectations of the European people and institutions. As challenges increase, the budget to tackle them must increase as well. This proposal fails to do so. An extraordinary budget, whose aim is to help Europe recover, cannot be used to finance regular EU programmes. With every updated proposal, president Michel insists on sacrificing the long-term needs of the EU over the short-term.”

This week the S&D Group welcomed Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni to a discussion on the EU Recovery Plan, following president Michel’s latest proposal and the updated Commission’s proposal on taxation.

The weeks ahead will focus on the negotiations for the EU’s next multi-annual budget and the recovery instrument. We will closely follow the European Summit taking place this weekend.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, 22 July, S&D members are also prepared to hold a Group meeting to discuss the results of the summit and prepare next steps.

Also on Wednesday, S&D Group president, Iratxe García, will join all group leaders in the European Parliament, for an extra-ordinary Conference of Presidents.

Stay updated on all of the Group’s initiatives and reactions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contacto(s) de prensa del Grupo S&D