The EU Budget and Balance of Powers between the European Parliament and the EU Governments

Abstract:

This European Policy Analysis looks at the balance of powers between the European Parliament and the EU governments in the EU budget negotiations. The next long-term EU budget, covering the years 2014–2020, shows that its content is heavily constrained by how the decision process takes place.

Although the Council dominates the overall process, the increased involvement of the European Parliament highlights the need for synchronising the EU budget cycle with the political term of the Parliament and the Commission.