Brexit must lead to a leaner and effective European budget

The European Commission has presented its Reflection Paper on the future of EU finances. In this context, the EU Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources warned that Brexit can cause a budgetary hole of 10 to 12 billion euros. “But anyone dreaming of introducing new European taxes is not doing the Union any favours,” Sander Loones warns. “And whoever thinks we can fill up that budgetary hole of billions by raising the contributions of the Member States is also mistaken. Belgium and Flanders better not end up being presented with the bill for the British exit.

“It’s true that Brexit faces us with immense challenges; however, it can also be the source of opportunities and a catalyst for change,” Sander Loones thinks. “For example it gives us the opportunity to start over with a clean slate in a number of areas. Not only do the Member States have to bring an end to an era of unnecessary costs, the Union must also lead by example and opt radically for reforms.”

Making clear choices

According to Sander Loones, this Reflection Paper correctly states that Europe does not adequately meet the expectations of citizens in the fields of security and immigration. “But that conclusion is worthless if it is not linked to clear budgetary choices,” says Sander Loones. “Europe must invest the tax revenue of citizens in areas that concern the population. This is something it still doesn’t adequately do, and unfortunately this paper changes nothing in that regard.”

Missed opportunities

However, according to Sander Loones there is no alternative: “We will have to make tough choices and stop dreaming up new goals all the time without also getting rid of outdated priorities. Europe doesn’t need a retrobudget with priorities from the past, but a budget focused on the challenges of today and tomorrow. From that standpoint, it is telling that the European added value is not clearly defined in the decisions on expenditure. And a comprehensive investigation of current expenditure, as requested by the European Court of Auditors, is nowhere to be seen.”