Johan Van Overtveldt wants a thorough revision: “The European budget is a grab bag”

“A thorough revision of the European Multiannual Financial Framework is imperative. It is no longer adapted to the needs and challenges of today, let alone those of tomorrow,” says Johan Van Overtveldt, Chairman of the Budget Committee, in his intervention in the debate during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Van Overtveldt points out that the succession of the pandemic, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine has repeatedly brought about budgetary vehicles that are separate from the regular budget, and which are therefore also removed from democratic, parliamentary control. “The lack of detailed examination opens the door wide to the improper use of funds, or worse.”

Critical audit needed

Van Overtveldt calls for a thorough revision of the multiannual budget with respect for Parliament as well as the powers of the Member States. “Member States cannot also demand that the EU do increasingly more - for the climate, for Ukraine, for you name it - with the same resources. Just as the European authorities, with the European Parliament in the lead, cannot continue to reject the need for a critical audit of all expenditure!” says Johan.

Grab bag

“The format of the budget is too much of a grab bag, containing something for everyone.” Therefore, Van Overtveldt calls for the sense of responsibility necessary to thoroughly examine both income and expenditure. The aim must be to test and increase the efficiency of the resources used, thus creating additional budgetary and financial scope.