Negotiations relating to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027) and the Recovery Plan for Europe

Summary:

Overview of the negotiating positions of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (+ European Council) on the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 - and later on a Recovery Plan for Europe - as well as related political discussion in search of an agreement.

Further information:

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) sets the maximum level of resources for each of the seven major headings of EU spending for a period of seven years. In addition to a financial plan, it sets the EU’s long-term priorities.

The European Commission presented its position on the MFF 2021-2027 on 2 May 2018, which proposes a multiannual budget amounting to 1.11% EU27 Gross National Income (GNI). In response to this position, a Resolution from the European Parliament adopted in November 2018 argues that such proposal is insufficient and in turn estimates a ceiling amounting to 1.3% EU27 GNI.

The Council of the European Union took time to agree on a common position due to disagreements between Member States on size and other aspects of the MFF. While the European Council regularly touched upon the matter ever since a first discussion took place in February 2018, no specific effort to reach an agreement was developed until late 2019. Ahead of a seemingly important meeting on 17-18 October, the European Commission adopted a Communication highlighting the need for further work to be done by the co-legislators; the European Parliament also adopted a Resolution urging the Council to engage in negotiations to find an interinsitutional agreement.

On 5 December, the presidency of the Council of the European Union presented a so-called 'Negotiating Box' with a proposal amounting to 1.07% of EU27 GNI. The European Council meeting held later in the month did not produce an agreement between national leaders. Member States appeared generally divided between those vowing to shrink the overall multiannual budget, and those who fear such decision would affect provisions on agriculture and cohesion policy.

On 14 February 2020, the President of the European Council presented a revised proposal for discussion, setting the ceiling at 1.074% EU27 GNI.  A special European Council meeting later that month highlighted yet again the cleavage between Member States. Media reported on the difficulties in finding a compromise between those rejecting substantial cuts in certain areas and the so-called 'Frugal Four' defending a stricter line which would not go beyond 1% GNI.

The discussion was substantially affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. On 27 May 2020, the European Commission tabled a revamped proposal for the MFF 2021-2027 in the framework of its Recovery Plan for Europe. The revised proposal incorporates the impact of an instrument (or fund) for economic recovery denominated Next Generation EU, which would be financed by money borrowed from the markets by the European Commission. The allocation and potential repayment of such funds reinforced the cleavage previously registered between Member States.

Under this new framework, the first round of negotiations between Member States was held at a video conference on 19 June 2020. Ahead of a special European Council summit, national leaders held a series of bilateral meetings to informally assert positions. On 10 July, the President of the European Council tabled a new Negotiation Box concerning the overall Recovery Plan for Europe. Media outlets reported increasing tension over adding rule of law as conditionality for access to budget funds.

An overall agreement concerning the elements of the Recovery Plan (MFF + recovery instrument) was eventually reached in the early hours of 21 July 2020, after national leaders extended the duration of the special summit. The deal includes the Next Generation EU - €390bn in grants and €360bn in loans - which is attached to a revamped MFF for 2021-2027 amounting to €1.074 trillion. The agreement was welcomed by the Commission and Parliament, despite warnings and regret shown over cuts proposed for some programmes and initiatives. A Resolution adopted by the plenary of the European Parliament on 23 July underlined the need for improvement before ratification of the compromise agreed by the European Council.

A phone call was held between the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Parliament and the chair of rotating Council President on 29 July. The aim was to prepare the next steps in the adoption of the Recovery Plan for Europe, namely the interinstitutional negotiations based on the political agreement reached by the European Council and the Resolution subsequently adopted by the Parliament. The first meeting of the trilogue talks was held on 27 August, followed by a second meeting on 7 September. The third round took place on 11 September. The conditionality attached to respecting rule of law became one of the main matters of these negotiations.

Negotiations continued into October and November, with co-legislators stuck on the rule of law matter. By the end of October, the Parliament put forward a so-called breakthrough proposal which aimed at bridging the gap between the two sides, but without immediate success. On 5 November, a political agreement was reached on a proposed rule of law mechanism aimed at safeguarding the EU budget. On 10 November, an informal agreement between the co-legislators was reached on the financial package comprising the MFF and the Recovery Plan for Europe.

On 16 November, Hungarian and Polish representatives refused to endorse the informal agreement reached in the previous week due to the rule of law mechanism. They were later joined by Slovenia in that opposition. The Council of the European Union a discussed the matter on 17 November, followed by a political discussion at the European Council videoconference on 19 November. Following a bilateral meeting on 26 November, Hungary and Poland agreed to stick to their position and called for changes to the rule of law mechanism.

Official

General Secretariat of the Council: Multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027: negotiations https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-budgetary-system/multiannual-financial-framework/mff-negotiations/

European Commission: EU budget for the future [Proposal May 2018] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/future-europe/eu-budget-future_en

European Commission: EU long-term budget 2021-2027 [Proposal May 2020] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/eu-long-term-budget/2021-2027_en

European Parliament: Priorities: The EU's long-term budget https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/priorities/eu-s-long-term-budget

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: 2021-2027 MFF https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-budgets-budg/file-mff-2021-2027-mff

EPRS: Briefing, June 2019: Multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027: The future of EU finances https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2019)637979

Finnish Council Presidency: Press Release, 05/12/2019: Finnish Presidency proposes greater EU investment in building a sustainable future https://eu2019.fi/en/article/-/asset_publisher/suomi-esittaa-puheenjohtajamaana-eu-lle-lisapanostusta-kestavan-tulevaisuuden-rakentamiseen

European Parliament: Press Release, 19/02/2020: President Michel’s MFF proposal not acceptable for Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200218IPR72822/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/03/2020: Long-term EU budget: It is not possible to do more with less, say MEPs https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200305IPR74186/

European Council: Statement, 10/07/2020: President Charles Michel presents his proposal for the MFF and the recovery package https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/07/10/president-charles-michel-presents-his-proposal-for-the-mff-and-the-recovery-package/

Spain: La Moncloa (Government Presidency): News, 15/07/2020: Pedro Sánchez and Emmanuel Macron agree on need to reach agreement in July on financial package to speed up recovery following COVID-19 crisis https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/presidente/news/Paginas/2020/20200715_macron.aspx

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Resolution on the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2020/2732(RSP)

European Parliament: Press Release, 23/07/2020: EU long-term budget deal must be improved for Parliament to accept it https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200722IPR83804/

European Commission: Readout of the meeting between European Commission President von der Leyen, European Parliament President Sassoli and German Chancellor Merkel (29 July 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/read_20_1428

European Parliament: Press Release, 27/08/2020: Future EU financing: Parliament and German Council Presidency kick off talks https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200827IPR85805/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/09/2020: Do not jeopardise future-oriented EU programmes, say EP’s budget negotiators https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200911IPR86907/

European Parliament: Press Release, 18/09/2020: EU long-term budget: EP still fighting for a good agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200917IPR87313/

European Parliament: Press Release, 28/10/2020: EU budget talks: Council rejects Parliament’s breakthrough proposal https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201026IPR90132/

European Commission: Press Release, 10/11/2020: EU budget: European Commission welcomes agreement on €1.8 trillion package to help build greener, more digital and more resilient Europe https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2073

European Parliament: Press Release, 10/11/2020: Compromise on long-term EU budget: EP obtains €16 billion more for key programmes https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201106IPR91014/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 10/11/2020: Next multiannual financial framework and recovery package: Council presidency reaches political agreement with the European Parliament https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/11/10/next-multiannual-financial-framework-and-recovery-package-council-presidency-reaches-political-agreement-with-the-european-parliament/

European Commission: Questions and Answers on the agreement on the €1.8 trillion package to help build greener, more digital and more resilient Europe (11 November 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_2088

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News

Politico, 30/10/2019: Commission gives up on EU budget deal in 2019 https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-gives-up-on-eu-budget-deal-in-2019/

EurActiv, 30/10/2019: Oettinger fires at ‘misleading’ EU budget figures https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-priorities-2020/news/oettinger-fires-at-misleading-eu-budget-figures/

EurActiv, 06/11/2019: EU faces budget deadlock as national positions drift further away https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-faces-budget-deadlock-as-national-positions-drift-further-away/

EurActiv, 04/12/2019: Finland aims to put €10bn more in CAP’s second pillar https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/finland-aims-to-put-e10bn-more-in-caps-second-pillar/

EurActiv, 04/12/2019: Von der Leyen criticises Finnish presidency’s EU budget proposal https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/von-der-leyen-criticises-finnish-presidencys-eu-budget-proposal/

Politico, 04/12/2019: Von der Leyen hits out at ’severe cuts’ in EU budget plan https://www.politico.eu/article/von-der-leyen-hits-out-at-severe-cuts-in-eu-budget-plan/

Politico, 01/02/2020: 15 countries fight to protect EU cohesion funding https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-budget-cohesion-funding-summit-portugal/

Deutsche Welle, 01/02/2020: Austria: Sebastian Kurz threatens to veto EU post-Brexit budget https://p.dw.com/p/3X8G0

EurActiv, 03/02/2020: In Portugal, 15 ‘cohesion countries’ call for stronger EU budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/in-portugal-15-cohesion-countries-call-for-stronger-eu-budget/

NL Times, 06/02/2020: Netherlands will not contribute more to EU budget, Dutch PM says https://nltimes.nl/2020/02/06/netherlands-will-contribute-eu-budget-dutch-pm-says

Reuters, 07/02/2020: EU goes into meeting frenzy ahead of Feb. 20 summit on next seven-year budget https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN20125J

EurActiv, 14/02/2020: Michel offers flexible EU budget to convince sceptics https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/michel-offers-flexible-eu-budget-to-convince-sceptics/

The Irish Times, 14/02/2020: Charles Michel proposes EU budget compromise ahead of summit https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/charles-michel-proposes-eu-budget-compromise-ahead-of-summit-1.4174226

EurActiv, 17/02/2020: CAP spending faces further €5bn cut in bloc’s budget blueprint https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/cap-spending-faces-further-e5bn-cut-in-blocs-budget-blueprint/

EUObserver, 17/02/2020: Net payer countries push back on EU budget plans https://euobserver.com/economic/147464

Agriland, 17/02/2020: Inside EU budget documents: Proposal to slash CAP by between 14% and 19% https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/inside-leaked-eu-budget-documents-proposal-to-slash-cap-by-between-14-and-19/

EurActiv, 17/02/2020: Poland’s just transition bonus cut 50% under latest EU budget proposal https://www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/polands-just-transition-bonus-cut-50-under-latest-eu-budget-proposal/

Bloomberg, 17/02/2020: Germany Demands Compromise From All Sides in EU Budget Talks https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-17/germany-demands-compromise-from-all-sides-in-eu-budget-talks

Reuters, 18/02/2020: French farmers sweat over subsidies in post-Brexit EU budget talks https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN20C2BK

Agriland, 18/02/2020: MFF proposal ‘disappointing’ – EU Parliament budget committee https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/mff-proposal-disappointing-eu-parliament-budget-committee/

EurActiv, 19/02/2020: Carbon levy, plastic tax hailed as potential game-changers for EU budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/carbon-levy-plastic-tax-hailed-as-potential-game-changers-for-eu-budget/

EurActiv, 20/02/2020: Parliament ready to flex its muscles over EU budget in wake of Brexit https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/parliament-ready-to-flex-its-muscles-over-eu-budget-in-the-wake-of-brexit/

Politico, 20/02/2020: Struggle over Rail Baltica spills into Brussels budget fray https://www.politico.eu/article/struggle-over-rail-baltica-spills-into-brussels-budget-fray/

EUObserver, 20/02/2020: Unhappy EU leaders begin budget haggle https://euobserver.com/economic/147513

Deutsche Welle, 20/02/2020: Leaders roll up for the EU budget circus https://p.dw.com/p/3Y5cn

EUObserver, 21/02/2020: Plastic and carbon proposals to help plug Brexit budget gap https://euobserver.com/green-deal/147515

EUObserver, 21/02/2020: Sassoli repeats EU budget rejection warning https://euobserver.com/economic/147514

Reuters, 21/02/2020: Macron to farmers: France stood firm on EU farm budget https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL5N2AM056

The Irish Times, 21/02/2020: EU budget: Varadkar says Ireland willing to pay more but not at farmers’ expense https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-budget-varadkar-says-ireland-willing-to-pay-more-but-not-at-farmers-expense-1.4181125

Reuters, 07/07/2020: Italy PM Conte says he will not accept 'weak compromise' on EU recovery fund https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN2482VV

Jornal Económico, 08/07/2020: Costa argues that European Union countries should come out of the coronavirus crisis "all together" https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/en/news/Costa-argues-that-European-Union-countries-should-come-out-of-the-coronavirus-crisis-all-together-611151

El País, 08/07/2020: Italian and Spanish PMs meet in Madrid ahead of EU recovery fund summit https://english.elpais.com/spanish_news/2020-07-08/italian-and-spanish-pms-meet-in-madrid-ahead-of-eu-recovery-fund-summit.html

Deutsche Welle, 09/07/2020: Angela Merkel meets with Mark Rutte to discuss EU recovery https://p.dw.com/p/3f4h4

EurActiv, 10/07/2020: Michel proposal offers Council more control over rule of law conditionality https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/michel-proposal-offers-council-more-control-over-rule-of-law-conditionality/

LRT News, 10/07/2020: Lithuania to be compensated for emigration in EU's budget proposal https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1196494/lithuania-to-be-compensated-for-emigration-in-eu-s-budget-proposal

EUObserver, 10/07/2020: Michel lays out compromise budget plan for summit https://euobserver.com/economic/148917

RTÉ News, 10/07/2020: EU's Michel proposes €5bn Brexit emergency fund https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0710/1152546-eus-michel-proposes-5bn-brexit-fund/

Reuters, 10/07/2020: EU's Michel proposes five billion euros Brexit emergency fund https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN24B16P

Politico, 10/07/2020: Charles Michel’s small cuts set stage for big EU budget fight https://www.politico.eu/article/charles-michel-eu-budget-fight/

Reuters, 10/07/2020: Dutch will seek guarantees on budget reforms at EU recovery fund talks, Rutte says https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN24B253

Euronews, 13/07/2020: Merkel and Conte call for European solidarity on coronavirus stimulus package https://www.euronews.com/2020/07/13/merkel-and-conte-urge-european-solidarity-on-coronavirus-stimulus-package

AP News, 14/07/2020: Hungary lawmakers back Orban’s position on EU recovery plan https://apnews.com/ca1c77efef40cf1a48626609639a7f07

The Brussels Times, 14/07/2020: EU budget: Charles Michel’s proposal is ‘a step in the right direction’ https://www.brusselstimes.com/all-news/belgium-all-news/121602/eu-budget-charles-michels-proposal-is-a-step-in-the-right-direction/

Politico, 21/07/2020: European Parliament ‘cannot accept’ aspects of EU budget deal, say negotiators https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-cannot-accept-aspects-of-eu-budget-deal-say-negotiators/

Politico, 21/07/2020: Von der Leyen laments ‘regrettable’ cuts in budget accord https://www.politico.eu/article/von-der-leyen-laments-regrettable-cuts-in-budget-accord/

Politico, 21/07/2020: How Europe reacted to the new EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund deal https://www.politico.eu/article/madness-and-historic-day-europe-reacts-to-the-budget-deal/

Politico, 23/07/2020: MEPs ready to withhold approval of EU budget https://www.politico.eu/article/mff-meps-are-ready-to-withhold-consent-to-the-eus-long-term-budget/

EurActiv, 24/07/2020: MEPs warn of insufficient control over EU climate spending https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/meps-warn-of-insufficient-control-over-eu-climate-spending/

PIIE: Blog, 29/07/2020: Europe's big fiscal deal leaves some tough decisions ahead https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economic-issues-watch/europes-big-fiscal-deal-leaves-some-tough-decisions-ahead

Politico, 07/08/2020: Merkel calls for swift deal on EU budget and recovery package https://www.politico.eu/article/calls-for-swift-deal-on-budget-and-recovery-package-angela-merkel-recovery-fund/

EurActiv, 26/08/2020: Parliament demands rule of law mechanism before signing off on EU budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/parliament-demands-rule-of-law-mechanism-before-signing-off-on-eu-budget/

Euronews, 01/09/2020: MEPs want EU funding to be linked to respect for rule of law https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/01/meps-want-eu-funding-to-be-linked-to-respect-for-rule-of-law

EUObserver, 03/09/2020: France wants rule-of-law sanctions on recovery budget https://euobserver.com/political/149088

BBC News, 03/09/2020: EU budget would be 'disastrous' for research https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54019253

Politico, 07/09/2020: European Parliament clashes with Merkel over rule of law in budget talks https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-clashes-with-merkel-over-rule-of-law/

Hungary Today, 08/09/2020: EU Leaders Still Insist on Tying EU Funds to Rule of Law Criteria https://hungarytoday.hu/eu-leaders-eu-funds-rule-of-law-criteria/

EUObserver, 23/09/2020: EU countries stuck on rule of law-budget link https://euobserver.com/economic/149517

The Guardian, 29/09/2020: German compromise on releasing EU funds 'caves in to Viktor Orbán' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/29/german-compromise-on-releasing-eu-funds-caves-in-to-viktor-orban

EurActiv, 09/10/2020: European Parliament walks out of EU budget negotiations https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/european-parliament-walks-out-of-eu-budget-negotiations/

Politico, 20/10/2020: Parliament set to climb down in EU budget fight https://www.politico.eu/article/parliament-prepares-to-cave-on-eu-budget-fight/

Politico, 09/11/2020: Orbán threatens to veto EU budget, recovery fund over rule of law https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-eu-budget-veto-rule-of-law/

Euronews, 09/11/2020: EU budget: Long-term funding row in COVID-19 spotlight as talks resume https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/09/eu-budget-long-term-funding-row-in-covid-19-spotlight-as-talks-resume

France24, 10/11/2020: EU states, MEPs agree bloc's long-term budget https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20201110-eu-states-meps-agree-bloc-s-long-term-budget

EurActiv, 10/11/2020: EU institutions strike deal on bloc’s long term budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-institutions-strike-deal-on-blocs-long-term-budget-and-recovery-fund/

RFI News, 10/11/2020: Hungary's Orban threatens to veto EU budget over rule of law conditions https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20201110-hungary-s-orban-threatens-to-veto-entire-eu-budget-over-rule-of-law-conditions-covid-19-%E2%82%AC750-billion-relief-package

Associated Press, 10/11/2020: EU negotiators clinch deal on huge budget, coronavirus plan https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-legislature-europe-germany-5264e75d7fed429ec37210c83e94725b

Deutsche Welle, 10/11/2020: Breakthrough on EU budget and associated COVID relief fund https://p.dw.com/p/3l7Gp

Reuters, 10/11/2020: EU parliament, governments reach deal on EU 2021-2027 budget https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN27Q2VD

Politico, 10/11/2020: Council and Parliament reach deal on EU budget https://www.politico.eu/article/council-and-parliament-reach-deal-on-eu-budget/

Swissinfo.ch, 12/11/2020: Poland threatens to veto EU 2021-2027 budget over rule of law condition https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/poland-threatens-to-veto-eu-2021-2027-budget-over-rule-of-law-condition/46158798

EurActiv. 13/11/2020: Poland and Hungary unite to veto EU budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/poland-and-hungary-unite-to-veto-budget/

The Guardian, 16/11/2020: EU faces crisis as Hungary says it will veto seven-year budget https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/16/eu-hungary-veto-budget-viktor-orban

Associated Press, 18/11/2020: Hungary sticks to veto of EU budget over rule-of-law issue https://apnews.com/article/viktor-orban-poland-summits-immigration-coronavirus-pandemic-2d2504e8fc22f451405b9314d97b0dae

RFE/RL, 18/11/2020: Hungarian PM Orban Accuses EU Of Using Budget To 'Blackmail' Over Immigration https://www.rferl.org/a/hungarian-pm-orban-accuses-eu-of-using-budget-to-blackmail-over-immigration/30956552.html

RFE/RL, 26/11/2020: Hungary, Poland Pledge Mutual Support For EU Budget Veto https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-poland-pledge-mutual-support-for-eu-budget-veto/30970941.html

Politico, 26/11/2020: Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-hungary-budget-democracy-rule-law-orban-morawiecki-merkel/

EurActiv, 26/11/2020: Poland, Hungary propose two-track way out of EU budget deadlock https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/poland-hungary-propose-two-track-way-out-of-eu-budget-deadlock/

Deutsche Welle, 26/11/2020: Hungary, Poland vow to veto EU COVID recovery fund mechanism https://p.dw.com/p/3ltBY

EUObserver, 26/11/2020: Von der Leyen tells Poland and Hungary to go to court https://euobserver.com/political/150193

Associated Press, 26/11/2020; Hungary, Poland uphold their veto to EU money mechanism https://apnews.com/article/budapest-viktor-orban-poland-coronavirus-pandemic-financial-markets-b19a49f0568922ee3710f70d5b5bcdbe

Reuters, 26/11/2020: Hungary's PM Orban rules out compromise in EU budget standoff https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN28626Y

Euronews, 27/11/2020: Hungary and Poland maintain united front blocking EU COVID-19 recovery fund https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/26/hungary-and-poland-maintain-united-front-blocking-eu-covid-19-recovery-fund

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Commentary and Analysis

Politico, 04/11/2019: The EU’s budget tribes explained https://www.politico.eu/article/the-eus-budget-tribes-explained/

Politico, 02/12/2019: EU budget fight heats up https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-budget-fight-heats-up-council-of-the-eu-finnish-presidency-european-commission/

Politico, 06/12/2019: What rich countries get wrong about the EU budget https://www.politico.eu/article/what-rich-countries-get-wrong-about-the-eu-budget-east-west-euroskeptic-cohesion-policy/

Politico, 12/12/2019: EU budget: Value for money https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/eu-budget-value-for-money/

ECFR: Commentary, 13/12/2019: Table scrap: Budget talks in a fragmented Europe https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_table_scrap_budget_talks_in_a_fragmented_europe

EPRS: Briefing, January 2020: The 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework in figures https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)646131

Politico, 02/02/2020: Costa grabs role as regions’ champion in EU budget fight https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-portugal-regions-champion-eu-budget-fight/

Politico, 14/02/2020: 8 takeaways from the new EU budget proposal https://www.politico.eu/article/8-takeaways-from-the-new-eu-budget-proposal/

The Guardian, 16/02/2020: ‘Fighting like ferrets in a bag’ as EU tries to plug Brexit cash hole https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/16/stressed-heads-to-start-brussels-budget-talks-post-brexit

EPRS: Briefing, February 2020: The European Council and the 2021-27 Multiannual Financial Framework https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2020)631732

EUObserver, 18/02/2020: What the Dutch don't get about the EU budget https://euobserver.com/opinion/147439

EurActiv, 19/02/2020: EU faces tough post-Brexit test with 2021-2027 budget https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/linksdossier/eu-faces-tough-post-brexit-test-with-2021-2027-budget/

Politico, 19/02/2020: 4 big fights in Europe’s budget battle https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-budget-battle-big-fights-cohesion-funding-agriculture/

Forbes, 20/02/2020: Is The EU Budget Ready To Back The Green Deal? https://www.forbes.com/sites/emanuelabarbiroglio/2020/02/20/is-the-eu-budget-ready-to-back-the-green-deal/#377ed3992366

Sverige Radio, 20/02/2020: Sweden in 'frugal four' EU budget restraint plea https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7412227

CEPS: In Brief, 20/02/2020: Towards a new MFF https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-publications/towards-a-new-mff/

Politico, 20/02/2020: Mario Monti: Don’t let the ‘frugals’ rule the budget https://www.politico.eu/article/mario-monti-dont-let-the-frugals-rule-the-budget/

Politico, 20/02/2020: Parliament’s EU budget strategy: Go big, then go home https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-david-sassoli-eu-budget-strategy-go-big-then-go-home/

Politico, 21/02/2020: The EU budget in 7 charts https://www.politico.eu/article/the-eu-budget-in-7-charts-mff/

Reuters, 20/02/2020: Frugal Four vs Friends of Cohesion: The EU's baffling budget battle https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN20E1NC

The Guardian, 16/07/2020: Angela Merkel set for central role in talks on EU recovery plan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/16/angela-merkel-set-for-central-role-in-talks-on-eu-recovery-plan

EUObserver, 22/07/2020: EU recovery fund and budget negotiations aren't over yet https://euobserver.com/opinion/149004

EPRS: At a Glance, July 2020: EU budget and recovery fund: Is it a done deal? [What Think Tanks are thinking] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_ATA(2020)652036

The Economist, 01/08/2020: The EU’s recovery fund revives a debate on common taxes https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2020/08/01/the-eus-recovery-fund-revives-a-debate-on-common-taxes

ECFR: Commentary, 03/08/2020: The limits of “no, no, no”: Why the Dutch are so ambivalent about Europe https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_limits_of_no_no_no_why_the_dutch_are_so_ambivalent_about_eur

FNF Europe, 06/08/2020: EU Budget 2021-2027: What’s in It for Europe’s Defence? https://fnf-europe.org/2020/08/06/eu-budget-2021-2027-whats-in-it-for-europes-defence/

ECFR: Commentary,15/09/2020: The frugal blues: An underappreciated threat to the European project https://ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_frugal_blues_an_underappreciated_threat_to_the_european_proj/

Human Rights Watch: News, 17/09/2020: EU: Use Budget to Uphold Democracy https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/17/eu-use-budget-uphold-democracy

Bruegel: Blog, 24/09/2020: Will European Union countries be able to absorb and spend well the bloc’s recovery funding? https://www.bruegel.org/2020/09/will-european-union-countries-be-able-to-absorb-and-spend-well-the-blocs-recovery-funding/

IPS Journal, 15/10/2020: The rule of law in Europe is not negotiable https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-union/the-rule-of-law-in-europe-is-not-negotiable-4727/

Euronews, 16/10/2020: A pandemic, the rule of law and forgotten European initiatives: The wrangling over the EU budget https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/16/a-pandemic-the-rule-of-law-and-forgotten-european-initiatives-the-wrangling-over-the-eu-bu

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Issues (No. 575), 26/10/2020: Multi-annual financial framework and Next Generation EU, Review of an unprecedented, tumultuous European budgetary chapter https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0575-multi-annual-financial-framework-and-next-generation-eu-review-of-an-unprecedented-tumultuous

Balkan Insight: Opinion, 03/11/2020: EU should not fear populists blackmail but call their bluff https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/03/eu-should-not-fear-populists-blackmail-but-call-their-bluff/

IPS Journal, 10/11/2020: The European recovery is up in the air — again https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-union/the-european-recovery-is-up-in-the-air-again-4784/

Politico, 10/11/2020: EU budget deal: What you need to know https://www.politico.eu/article/takeaways-from-the-eu-council-and-parliament-budget-deal/

Euro|topics, November 2020: Can Orbán stop the EU's rule of law mechanism? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/251008/

The Economist, 14/11/2020: The EU’s €750bn recovery plan comes one step closer https://www.economist.com/europe/2020/11/14/the-eus-eu750bn-recovery-plan-comes-one-step-closer

ETUC: Document, 16/11/2020: ETUC Statement on the deal reached by EU institutions on the EU Budget and ‘Next Generation EU’: Important Deal for a People's Recovery https://www.etuc.org/en/document/etuc-statement-deal-reached-eu-institutions-eu-budget-and-next-generation-eu-important

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 17/11/2020: Germany Needs to End Hungary and Poland’s Blackmail https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/83245

EUObserver: Opinion, 18/11/2020: Three EU exits from Poland and Hungary 'hostage crisis' https://euobserver.com/opinion/150098

BBC News, 19/11/2020: EU faces challenge from three states to Covid budget https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54985621

IPS Journal, 20/11/2020: Why Viktor Orbán took the EU hostage https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/european-union/why-viktor-orban-took-the-eu-hostage-4805/

UK Parliament: House of Commons Library: Insight, 25/11/2020: EU budget and coronavirus: What did Hungary and Poland block? https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/eu-budget-and-coronavirus-what-did-hungary-and-poland-block/

Euro|topics, November 2020: Coronavirus aid without Poland and Hungary? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/251428/

Balkan Insight: Democracy Digest, 27/11/2020: Poland and Hungary refuse to back down over EU veto https://balkaninsight.com/2020/11/27/democracy-digest-poland-and-hungary-refuse-to-back-down-over-eu-veto/

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