What changed

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on ConstitutionalWomen’s AffairsRights submitsand theGender followingEquality presents to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsibleresponsible, :the following:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Recital A a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

A. whereas, under Article 311 TFEU, the Union is required to provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies;

Aa. whereas gender equality is a core value of the Union enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union; whereas Article 8 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that ‘in all its activities, the Union shall aim to eliminate inequalities and to promote equality’, thus establishing the principle of gender mainstreaming, which stipulates that the gender equality perspective must be integrated across all policies and programmes, including all levels of the budgetary process; whereas budgets are never gender-neutral and therefore need to be established with the clear objective of anti-discrimination and the goal of reaching all individuals and their specific needs;

A. whereas, under Article 311 TFEU, the Union is required to provide itself with the means necessary to attain its objectives and carry through its policies; whereas, in accordance with the same article, the Union budget must be financed wholly from own resources; whereas it is therefore important to have a suitable EU budget that serves Union citizens, while strengthening budgetary transparency and accountability;

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Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Recital C

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, manage and repay its debt sustainably, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to avoid fragmentation in the single market and to boost the overall impact of public investment; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

1. Underlines that the post-2027 long-term budget must be designed and resourced so as to enable the Union to deliver on its policy objectives, tackle the growing challenges it faces, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and future EU enlargements, manage and repay its debt sustainably, respond to shocks and crises and adjust to evolving spending needs;

C. whereas spending through the Union budget, if effectively targeted, aligned with the Union’s political priorities and coordinated with spending at national level, helps to protect and promote fundamental rights, including women’s rights and the rule of law, foster cohesion and equality, as well as avoid fragmentation in the single market and to boost the overall impact of public investment; whereas public investment is essential to incentivise private investment;

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Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Recital E a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF requires more robust parliamentary accountability;

Ea. whereas Parliament has repeatedly called for sufficient funding for the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), Daphne Strand, Equality and Rights Strand of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, CSOs under the NDICI programme, EU4Health programme, ESF+ Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand; whereas Parliament has repeatedly also called for the application of gender mainstreaming in the main European Funds such as Horizon Europe, CAP, Cohesion Funds and Next Generation EU;

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF requires more robust parliamentary scrutiny and accountability; stresses that closer involvement of Parliament in the preparation, adoption and scrutiny of the MFF Regulation and the Own Resources Decision is imperative to enhance the democratic oversight of both the revenue and the expenditure sides of the EU budget; underlines the important and valuable role of the European Court of Auditors in this regard; points out that all elements of the MFF must be implemented in accordance with the principle of mutual sincere cooperation as laid down in Article 13 TEU;

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Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Paragraph 1 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. Points out that Draghi puts the annual investment gap with respect to innovation and infrastructure at EUR 750-800 billion per year between 2025 and 2030; underlines that, while the Union budget cannot cover that shortfall alone, it must play a vital role;

1a. Highlights the Union’s commitments to equality, especially those outlined in the gender equality strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goals 5 and 10; underlines that the post-27 MFF should mainstream gender equality and help eliminate inequalities across the Union and in the world including by dedicated EU budget expenditures higher than the current ones and by supporting gender equality and other equality objectives in line with the Treaties;

8. Points out that Draghi puts the annual investment gap with respect to innovation and infrastructure at EUR 750-800 billion per year between 2025 and 2030; underlines that, while the Union budget cannot cover that shortfall alone, it must play a vital role; agrees with the recommendations of the Draghi report, according to which the Union cannot meet its competitiveness goals without a major overhaul of its governance, policies and institutions;

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Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 27 a (new)

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

27 a. Stresses, in this context, the need for reflection on a dedicated budget, falling under the scrutiny of Parliament, that would help enhance European defence readiness and capacity development, in particular by financing joint procurements and the development of armaments in the EU;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law and the Union’s values;

3. Emphasises that the post-2027 MFF must also become simpler and more transparent and be protected against misuse, fraud and breaches of the principles of the rule of law, fundamental rights and the Union’s values;

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Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28 a (new)

Paragraph 46

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28 a. Highlights the need for the immediate upscaling and much better coordination of defence spending by the Member States, which clearly cannot wait until the next MFF enters into force;

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of justice, the sound functioning of national institutions, support for civil society and de-oligarchisation;

46. Emphasises the importance of the Union budget in the elimination of discrimination, as well as gender inequality and gender-based violence, promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, fostering the Union’s common cultural heritage and European integration, enhancing citizen engagement and youth participation and promoting fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the rule of law; points to the importance of independence of justice, the sound functioning of national institutions, increased support for civil society and de-oligarchisation;

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Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 41

Paragraph 46 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

41. Considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and the candidate countries for accession; recalls that the stability, security and democratic resilience of the candidate countries are inextricably linked to those of the EU and require sustained strategic investment to support their convergence with Union standards;

46a. Supports, therefore, gender mainstreaming and gender equality commitments in all EU policies under the next MFF, as well as a reinforced budgetary dimension in combating all instances of discrimination;

41. Believes that EU enlargement presents an opportunity to strengthen the EU and further unlock its global potential; considers that the next MFF is pivotal for preparing the Union for enlargement and the candidate countries for accession; underlines the important roles that citizens and civil society organisations play in the process of enlargement; points out that substantial future EU enlargements cannot be achieved without a larger EU budget and sufficient new own resources; calls for the necessary budgetary and institutional reforms to be agreed as soon as possible; recalls that the stability, security and democratic resilience of the candidate countries are inextricably linked to those of the EU and require sustained strategic investment to support their convergence with Union standards; highlights the fact that the gradual integration of candidate countries into the Union’s programmes, and more broadly into the single market, would facilitate a harmonious and successful enlargement process;

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Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57

Paragraph 46 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57. Insists that, post-2027, sufficient financial and staff resources be allocated from the outset so that Union institutions, bodies and decentralised agencies can ensure effective and efficient policy design, delivery and enforcement, continue to attract the best people from all Member States, thus ensuring geographical balance, and have leeway to adjust to changing circumstances;

46b. Underlines the need for an increase in funding that contributes to the maintenance of a pluralistic society where equality and the rights of persons, including gender equality, as enshrined in the Treaty, the Charter and international human rights conventions, are promoted and protected; calls therefore for the maintenance and strengthening of the CERV and NDICI programmes as standalone programmes with increased funding in the next MFF;

57. Underlines the importance of the effective functioning of the EU’s institutions; insists that, post-2027, sufficient financial and staff resources be allocated from the outset so that Union institutions, bodies and decentralised agencies can ensure effective and efficient policy design, delivery and enforcement, continue to attract the best people from all Member States, thus ensuring geographical balance, and have leeway to adjust to changing circumstances;

Or. en

Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 63

Paragraph 46 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

63. Reiterates its long-standing position that all EU-level spending should be brought within the purview of the budgetary authority; calls, therefore, for the full budgetisation of (partially) off-budget instruments such as the Social Climate Fund, the Innovation Fund and the Modernisation Fund, or their successors;

46c. Stresses the need to ensure that all women have access to sexual and reproductive services and that special attention be paid to the specific needs of marginalised persons, including children, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, women who are refugees and migrants and the LGBTI community;

63. Reiterates its long-standing position that all EU-level spending should be brought within the purview of the budgetary authority, thereby ensuring transparency, full democratic control and the protection of the EU’s public finances and financial interests; calls, therefore, for the full budgetisation of (partially) off-budget instruments such as the Social Climate Fund, the Innovation Fund and the Modernisation Fund, or their successors;

Or. en

Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 87

Paragraph 46 d (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

87. Recalls that the requirement for close interinstitutional cooperation between the Commission, the Council and Parliament from the early design stages to the final adoption of the MFF is enshrined in the Treaties and further detailed in the IIA;

46d. Regrets that in the current MFF, elements of anti-gender and anti-abortion movements have benefited from European funding, despite their contravention of fundamental rights and other EU values; urges the Commission to ensure that in the upcoming MFF, no funding will be made available to anti-gender groups that aim to roll back important advances in women’s rights, or to any group that works to erode fundamental rights as outlined in the Charter;

87. Intends to fully exercise its role as legislator and budgetary and discharge authority, in line with the Treaties, and expects the Commission and the Council to fully respect the prerogatives of Parliament under the Treaties; recalls that the requirement for close interinstitutional cooperation between the Commission, the Council and Parliament from the early design stages to the final adoption of the MFF is enshrined in the Treaties and further detailed in the IIA;

Or. en

Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 88

Paragraph 46 e (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

88. Emphasises Parliament’s commitment to play its role fully throughout the process; believes that the design of the MFF should be bottom-up and based on the extensive involvement of stakeholders; underlines, furthermore, the need for a strategic dialogue among the three institutions in the run-up to the MFF proposals;

46e. Underlines the need for DAPHNE, which aims to prevent and combat all forms of gender-based violence, to become an autonomous programme with a separate budget line and increased funding to ensure the effective implementation of the recently adopted directive on violence against women and girls and domestic violence;

88. Emphasises Parliament’s commitment to play its role fully throughout the process and be involved as an equal arm of the budgetary authority; believes that the design of the MFF should be bottom-up and based on the appropriate and transparent involvement of stakeholders; underlines, furthermore, the need for a strategic dialogue among the three institutions in the run-up to the MFF proposals;

Or. en

Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 91 a (new)

Paragraph 48

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

91 a. Recalls its proposals that the ordinary legislative procedure be applied for the adoption of the MFF Regulation so that Parliament acquires full budgetary prerogatives; highlights the fact that Article 312(2), second subparagraph, TFEU provides for a passerelle clause in this regard;

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law at national level; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions to suspend or reduce Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT

48. Highlights the importance of strong links between respect for the rule of law, human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and human rights, and access to EU funds under the current MFF; believes that the protection of the Union’s financial interests depends on respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, including women’s rights at national level; welcomes, in particular, the positive impact of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in protecting the Union’s financial interests in cases of systemic and persistent breaches of the rule of law; calls on the Commission and the Council to apply the regulation strictly, consistently and without undue delay wherever necessary; emphasises that decisions to suspend or reduce Union funding over breaches of the rule of law must be based on objective criteria and not be guided by other considerations, nor be the outcome of negotiations;

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

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INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Amendment 13

Date adopted

Motion for a resolution

19.3.2025

Paragraph 49

Result of final vote

Motion for a resolution

+ : 20

Amendment

- : 6

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

0 : 0

49. Points to the need for a strong link between the rule of law and fundamental rights, and the Union budget post-2027 and welcomes the Commission’s intention to bolster links between the recommendations in the annual rule of law report and access to funds through the budget; calls on the Commission to outline, in the annual rule of law report from 2025 onwards, the extent to which identified weaknesses in rule of law regimes potentially pose a risk to the Union budget; welcomes, furthermore, the link between respect for Union values and the implementation of the budget and calls on the Commission to actively monitor Member States’ compliance with this principle;

Members present for the final vote

Or. en

Gerolf Annemans, Gabriele Bischoff, Salvatore De Meo, Vasile Dîncu, Klára Dobrev, Nikolas Farantouris, Daniel Freund, Jean-Paul Garraud, Charles Goerens, Sandro Gozi, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Thijs Reuten, Ernő Schaller-Baross, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, Sven Simon, Reinier Van Lanschot, Adrián Vázquez Lázara, Loránt Vincze, Charlie Weimers

Amendment 14

Substitutes present for the final vote

Motion for a resolution

Tom Berendsen, Marieke Ehlers, Branko Grims, Idoia Mendia, Ana Miguel Pedro, Gheorghe Piperea

Paragraph 53

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Motion for a resolution

Michal Wiezik

Amendment

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness against threats;

20

53. Underlines, therefore, that the next MFF must ensure that, across the board, spending programmes pursue climate and biodiversity objectives, promote and protect fundamental rights and equal opportunities for all, including gender equality, support competitiveness and bolster the Union’s preparedness against threats;

+

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PPE

Amendment 15

Berendsen Tom, De Meo Salvatore, Grims Branko, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Pedro Ana Miguel, Simon Sven, Vincze Loránt, Vázquez Lázara Adrián

Motion for a resolution

Renew

Paragraph 55 a (new)

Goerens Charles, Gozi Sandro, Wiezik Michal

Motion for a resolution

S&D

Amendment

Bischoff Gabriele, Dîncu Vasile, Dobrev Klára, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, Mendia Idoia, Reuten Thijs

55a. Reiterates the need to further develop and improve the EU gender tracking methodology; calls for links to be established between the targets included in the upcoming gender equality strategy and the MFF as a key vehicle to implement the strategy; underlines the need for improved collection, reporting and evaluation of comparable gender-disaggregated data and the development of horizontal EU definitions, to facilitate gender impact assessments in Union policy areas; calls for an improved methodology which should identify not only the beneficiaries of the funds, but also the transformative potential of the programmes;

The Left

Or. en

Farantouris Nikolas

Amendment 16

Verts/ALE

Motion for a resolution

Freund Daniel, Van Lanschot Reinier

Paragraph 55 b (new)

6

Motion for a resolution

-

Amendment

ECR

55b. Underlines the need for a legislative proposal to define one or more categories of female-led or female-owned companies with a particularly positive impact on gender equality linked to their recruitment, working time, child-care or gender procurement policies; calls for a gender-equality-friendly company passport similar to the envisaged SME passport that would give preferential access to funding opportunities;

Piperea Gheorghe, Weimers Charlie

Or. en

PfE

Amendment 17

Annemans Gerolf, Ehlers Marieke, Garraud Jean-Paul, Schaller-Baross Erno

Motion for a resolution

0

Paragraph 55 c (new)

0

Motion for a resolution

Key:

Amendment

+ : in favour

55c. Calls for an independent gender impact assessment, evaluating the impact of the MFF programmes on gender equality;

- : against

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0 : abstentions

Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57a. Highlights the fact that the delivery of gender mainstreaming training provided to EU Commission officials at the European University Institute is integral to ensuring the realisation of equality objectives of the Union; calls for the expansion of this training with the possibility to offer training places to officials of Parliament and the political groups;

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Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 57 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

57b. Recalls the important role played by EIGE in understanding and addressing the extent and causes of gender inequality affecting women in all their diversity in the Union, especially in the context of the backlash against women’s rights and conflict-related, economic and health crises and having in mind intersectionality; recalls that EIGE has experienced persistent issues with understaffing, which were further aggravated through the sharp increase in requests for technical assistance as a result of the prioritisation of gender mainstreaming in all Union policies and initiatives in the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025; stresses its calls for EIGE to be granted the budget and staff allocations, including an increase in contract agents, required to handle the significant increase in workload, including the implementation of the actions that will be proposed in the renewed gender equality strategy;

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