World

EU Budget Showdown: Centrist Groups Threaten to Derail Commission’s Plan

EU Parliament groups demand budget revisions, threatening rejection over fund management changes.

October 30, 2025, 12:44 PM

The main chamber of the European Parliament in Brussels, with delegates seated and flags displayed

The main hall of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, with flags of member states and a central podium. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Four centrist political groups in the European Parliament have demanded significant revisions to the European Commission’s proposed 2028-2034 budget, threatening rejection by November 12.

The core of the dispute centers on the Commission’s “national plans” concept, which would pool funds for farmers and regional development into single pots managed by national governments, rather than regions.

This collective parliamentary opposition, outlined in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, represents a major challenge to the Commission’s plan and highlights a fundamental clash over the future management of substantial EU funds.

The Story So Far

The core of the dispute revolves around the European Commission’s proposed “national plans” concept for the 2028-2034 budget, which would centralize approximately half of the €1.8 trillion EU budget for farmers and regional development into pots managed by national governments. This proposal is strongly opposed by four major centrist political groups in the European Parliament, who argue it deviates from the current system where regions play a crucial role in managing these funds and are threatening to reject the plan if their demands for revisions are not met.

Why This Matters

The unified opposition from four centrist groups in the European Parliament to the European Commission’s proposed “national plans” for the 2028-2034 budget poses a significant threat to the approval of the €1.8 trillion financial framework. This parliamentary stance, if unmet, could force the Commission to substantially revise its plan for managing agricultural and regional development funds, potentially leading to less centralization and asserting the Parliament’s influence over the bloc’s long-term spending priorities.

Who Thinks What?

Four centrist political groups in the European Parliament oppose the European Commission’s “national plans” concept, arguing it centralizes funds away from regions and demanding significant revisions to the proposed 2028-2034 budget.

The European Commission proposed the “national plans” concept to pool funds for farmers and regional development under the management of national governments, and is currently assessing the Parliament’s concerns, stating they are open to constructive exchanges to agree on a way forward.

Four centrist political groups in the European Parliament have demanded significant revisions to the European Commission’s proposed 2028-2034 budget, threatening to reject a crucial component of the plan if their conditions are not met by the next plenary session on November 12. The demand was outlined in a letter sent to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday morning.

Budgetary Dispute

The core of the dispute centers on the Commission’s “national plans” concept, an idea that would pool funds for farmers and regional development into single pots managed by the EU’s 27 national governments. These funds constitute approximately half of the total €1.8 trillion EU budget.

Lawmakers oppose this proposed change, arguing it deviates from the current system where regions play a crucial role in managing these significant financial resources. A formal rejection by the Parliament would represent a major blow to the Commission, compelling the executive body to propose an amended version of its budget plan.

Parliamentary Opposition

The letter was co-signed by the leaders of the conservative European People’s Party, Manfred Weber; the Socialists, Iratxe García; the centrist Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer; and the Greens, Bas Eickhout. The group leaders assert that the Parliament has consistently warned the Commission against the “national plans” idea since the initial stages of negotiations.

According to the letter, the Commission’s current proposal is deemed unacceptable as a basis for commencing negotiations. This collective stance underscores the Parliament’s firm position against the proposed centralization of funds.

Commission’s Response

In response to the criticism, Commission spokesperson Balazs Ujvari confirmed that officials are currently assessing the contents of the letter. Ujvari indicated that the Commission is prepared to listen to both the Parliament and the Council, emphasizing their important roles in the budget process. He stated that constructive exchanges are ongoing, and the Commission remains open to hearing their positions and views to agree on a way forward.

Key Takeaways

The escalating disagreement highlights a fundamental clash over the future management and distribution of substantial EU funds. Parliament is asserting its influence in shaping the bloc’s long-term financial framework, particularly concerning agricultural and regional development policies.