French pressure gets its way above objective needs: the N-VA votes against the distribution of the Brexit fund

The European Parliament’s Committee on Budgets has stated its position on the use of the resources from the Brexit fund, the EUR 5 billion fund that was set up to help Member States cushion the economic impact of Brexit. It also decided to change the distribution of these funds among the Member States compared to the Committee’s proposal. The result is a substantial increase for France, from an estimated EUR 481 million to EUR 694 million. For Belgium, EUR 356 million will remain, instead of the expected EUR 378 million.

MEP and chairman of the Committee on Budgets Johan Van Overtveldt describes the new criteria and distribution as not serious. “With instructions straight from Paris, the French rapporteur on this matter has reached a solution that has found support from third countries to achieve a majority, but which has lost sight of the real needs resulting from Brexit.”

European cooperation is a victim of French interests

This is the reason why Johan Van Overtveldt voted against the proposal. It was adopted in the Committee with 23 votes in favour, 4 against and 12 abstentions. “It is unfortunate to note that solidarity among Member States is viewed very unilaterally. Especially when French interests are involved. Among other things, European cooperation is the victim of this. Objective solutions are easily pushed aside, and no one seems to care about effectiveness.”

Following the work in the European Parliament, consensus still needs to be found with the Council in order to reach a final agreement.