Johan Van Overtveldt: “More money isn’t always the answer. The EU budget needs reform.”

Today, the European Parliament votes on the EU’s 2026 budget. The agreement—worth around €190 billion—focuses on the most pressing challenges of our time. But according to Johan Van Overtveldt, Chair of the Budget Committee, the overall budget remains too backward-looking: “The EU budget leaves too little room for the future. That undermines our ability to act in a rapidly changing world.”

Necessary investments, but lacking clear direction

Van Overtveldt acknowledges that the budget rightly prioritizes defence readiness, border control, Competitiveness The extent to which companies in one country can compete with similar companies in another country. A law came into force in Belgium in 1996 to monitor competitiveness. This stipulates that Belgian salaries may not evolve faster than the average of those in the three neighbouring countries. The Central Economic Council (CEC) performs an annual measurement to see if the objectives have been obtained. competitiveness , research and innovation.

“It’s a budget that aims to invest in both the security and prosperity of our citizens,” he says.

However, he argues that the foundation of the EU budget is still flawed. Too much emphasis is placed on legacy spending that no longer reflects the reality Europe is facing today.

Reform, not just a call for more money

Looking ahead to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Van Overtveldt is calling for a genuine change of course. He opposes a budget debate that time and again gets reduced to demands for extra funding.

“An effective budget isn’t just about more money—it’s about spending better. Too often, the EU falls back on the reflex that every problem can be solved by throwing more money at it. But without real reform, we won’t get anywhere.”

The N-VA is therefore calling for outdated or overlapping programmes to be scrapped and for deeper integration of the internal market.

“Fewer barriers to services, innovation and entrepreneurship should go hand in hand with the creation of a true Capital Markets Union—one that gives European businesses access to financing on the same scale as their global competitors.”

The geopolitical context leaves no room for delay

The international context makes change even more urgent.

“We’re in a fragile geopolitical situation. The United States—our traditional ally—is showing worrying signs of unpredictability. And China would love nothing more than to smother us with a bear hug. That means we must strengthen our own capacity to act.”

For Van Overtveldt, the EU needs to break free from short-term thinking.

“We need to look beyond the figures of a single budget year. Money alone isn’t enough. Reform is the key to greater efficiency, more strategic autonomy, and lasting prosperity,” he concludes.