General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Maria Grapini

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

This draft opinion calls on the Committee on Budgets to ensure the 2026 EU budget strengthens the single market, supports digital and green transitions, protects consumers, and removes barriers.¶ It demands increased investment for resilience, enforcement of digital and AI rules, customs strengthening, and support for member states affected by the war in Ukraine.¶¶¶

Committee position. The opinion rapporteur proposes that the Committee on Budgets incorporate these calls into its resolution on the 2026 EU budget.¶

Key points

Calls for the 2026 budget to strengthen the single market, support a digital, sustainable, carbon-neutral economy, protect consumers, and remove unjustified barriers to freedom.¶
Stresses the need for a resilient single market to address challenges like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, hybrid attacks, and foreign interference, and to eliminate war effects on member states, especially border countries.¶
Recalls the need to strengthen EU economic resilience and competitiveness through ambitious industrial policies that support social, digital, and environmental goals while maintaining a level playing field.¶
Calls on the Commission to increase resources for enforcing single market rules and consumer rights, including product safety, and to improve consumer awareness.¶
Welcomes increased staff for enforcing the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, and insists on sufficient funding to combat foreign interference and biased algorithms.¶
Insists on additional funding for enforcing the AI Act, including staff for the European AI Office, and for research and development to enhance technological sovereignty.¶
Stresses the need for resources to strengthen the customs union and market surveillance, addressing unsafe and illegal products from non-EU e-commerce, and making cross-border trade more efficient.¶

Who is affected

The European Commission, which must propose and allocate the 2026 budget accordingly.¶¶
Member states, especially those bordering Ukraine, affected by the war's consequences.¶
Businesses and consumers in the single market, benefiting from fair competition and protection.¶
The European AI Office and authorities enforcing digital and customs rules, needing more staff and funds.¶¶¶

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.