On a revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

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AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs presents to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, the following:

Amendment 1

Motion for a resolution

Citation 17 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the European Council Conclusions of 9 February 2023, 30 June 2023 and 19 December 2024,

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Amendment 2

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G. whereas the context in which the Commission will prepare its proposals for the post-2027 MFF is every bit as challenging, with the established global and geopolitical order changing quickly and radically and the Union budget needing to change accordingly;

G. whereas the context in which the Commission will prepare its proposals for the post-2027 MFF is every bit as challenging, from our security at home to the war in Ukraine, with the established global and geopolitical order changing quickly and radically particularly at the external borders of the Union and in the Southern neighbourhood and the Union budget needing to change accordingly;

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Amendment 3

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

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;

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, crises, challenges and opportunities that our Union is facing;

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Amendment 4

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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

4. Underlines that a simpler, more flexible MFF must fully respect Parliament’s role as co-legislator for the duration of the next programming period, including through mid-term revisions of the MFF-related basic acts and more robust parliamentary scrutiny and accountability;

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Amendment 5

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 19

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

19. Stresses that cohesion policy funding must tackle the key challenges the Union faces, such as demographic change and depopulation, and target the regions and people most in need; highlights, in particular, the importance of enhanced support to address the EU-wide housing crisis affecting millions of families and young people;

19. Stresses that cohesion policy funding must tackle the key challenges the Union faces, such as demographic change and depopulation, and target the regions and people most in need; highlights, in particular, the importance of enhanced support to address the EU-wide housing crisis affecting millions of families and vulnerable young and elderly people who cannot fully enjoy their rights and often face discrimination;

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Amendment 6

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 20

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

20. Points out that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had substantial economic and social consequences, in particular in Member States bordering Russia; insists that the next MFF provide support to these regions;

20. Points out that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had substantial economic, security and social consequences, in particular in Member States bordering Russia; insists that the next MFF provide support to these regions;

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Amendment 7

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 24

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence both creating opportunities, in terms of economic potential and improvements to the citizens’ lives, and posing reliability and ethical challenges; stresses that the next MFF must support the development and safe application of such technologies and help people to hone the skills they need to work with and use them;

24. Points to the profound technological shift under way, with new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) both creating opportunities, in terms of economic potential and improvements to the citizens’ lives, and posing reliability and ethical challenges; stresses that the next MFF must significantly boost the development and innovation in this sector, ensure the safe application of secure AI technologies with a human-centric approach, and help people to hone the knowledge and skills they need to work with and use them, while ensuring a high level of protection of fundamental rights, including democracy and the rule of law; highlights that investing in reskilling and upskilling tools is essential to facilitate the transition;

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Amendment 8

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 25

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

25. Recalls that security is the foundation for the Union’s prosperity and social model and that the next MFF must invest significantly more in safeguarding the Union against the myriad threats it faces;

25. Recalls that security is the foundation for the Union’s prosperity and social model and that the next MFF must invest significantly more in safeguarding the Union against the numerous internal and external threats it faces;

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Amendment 9

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 26

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

26. Underlines that, as the Niinistö report makes clear, the fragmenting global order, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, the security threat posed by Russia, growing tensions globally, hybrid campaigns, which include cyberattacks, foreign information manipulation, disinformation and interference and the instrumentalisation of migration, and health threats are combining to heighten instability and increase the Union’s vulnerability;

26. Underlines that, as the Niinistö report makes clear, the fragmenting global order, increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, the security threat posed by international organised crime, hostile actors such as Russia, growing tensions globally, hybrid threats and attacks, which include cyberattacks, foreign information manipulation, physical sabotage of critical infrastructure, disinformation and interference in political processes, and the instrumentalisation and weaponisation of migration, as well as health threats are combining to heighten instability and increase the Union’s vulnerability; points out that hybrid threats and attacks may lead to full-scale, cross-sectoral crises with detrimental effects on safety and security, the well-being of citizens and the functioning of society and the economy as a whole, constituting a key challenge to the Union’s internal affairs; further points out that this new reality requires a more robust approach to EU crisis management and civilian and defence preparedness, building strategic foresight and anticipation and strengthening early warning, detection, analysis and operational coordination capabilities; stresses that the Union should be equipped with flexible instruments, including financial capabilities, to respond to emerging new security challenges effectively and in a timely manner;

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Amendment 10

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 28 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

28 a. Emphasises the need to prioritise dual-use and critical technologies to enhance operational effectiveness and security, strengthening a competitive and resilient European defence industry; stresses the need to ensure the interoperability of equipment and systems through coordinated investments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud-based systems, and advanced connectivity, driving innovation and strengthening Europe’s long-term civilian and defence capabilities;

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Amendment 11

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

31. Emphasises that the Union needs to ramp up funding for preparedness across the board; underlines that, in addition to efforts to mitigate climate change through the green transition, significant investment is required to adapt to climate change, in particular to protect against and reduce the impact of natural disasters and severe weather events; considers that support for this purpose must be significantly increased in the next MFF;

31. Emphasises that the Union needs to ramp up funding for civilian and military preparedness and readiness across the board, in particular to foster civil-military cooperation, civil protection capabilities, as well as public-private partnerships;

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Amendment 12

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 31 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

31 a. Stresses the need to strengthen the budget for EU cross-border police and inter-agency cooperation to enhance coordinated responses to transnational crime and security threats; considers, in particular, that adequate funds should be allocated to fostering joint prevention measures, information sharing, joint investigations and operations as well as effective prosecution;

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Amendment 13

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 32

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

32. Recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked economic and social havoc globally and that a key lesson from the experience is that there is a need to invest in preparedness for health threats, in medical research and in the resilience of public health systems in the Union; considers that the next MFF must build on the work done in the current programming period;

32. Recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked economic and social havoc globally and that a key lesson from the experience is that there is a need to invest in preparedness for health threats, in medical research and in the resilience of public health systems in the Union, including through strategic stockpiles of medical items; considers that the next MFF must build on the work done in the current programming period;

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Amendment 14

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33. Underlines that, with technological change, it has become easier for malicious and opportunistic foreign actors to spread disinformation, interfere in elections and mount cyberattacks against the Union’s interests; insists that the next MFF must invest in enhanced cybersecurity; points to the importance of digital and media literacy and critical thinking in this regard, and to the need for continued Union budget support for initiatives in these areas;

33. Underlines that, with technological change and digitalisation it has become easier for malicious and opportunistic foreign actors such as Russia to spread disinformation, interfere in elections and mount cyberattacks against the Union’s interests, with negative impacts both in the online and offline world; insists that the next MFF must invest in enhanced and robust cybersecurity, and overall democratic and societal resilience; points to the importance of digital and media literacy and critical thinking in this regard, and to the need for continued Union budget support for initiatives in these areas;

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Amendment 15

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 33 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

33 a. Stresses that in light of the rapid development of information technology and associated risks, the next MFF should support flexible and effective responses to the evolving security and crime environment; emphasises that attention should be paid to fostering cross-border measures aimed at prevention and fight against on-line crime, in particular affecting children, such as child sexual abuse;

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Amendment 16

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34. Underscores the importance of continued funding, in the next MFF, for effective protection of the EU’s external borders; underlines the need to counter trafficking networks and address hybrid attacks and the instrumentalisation of migrants, in particular by a third country or a hostile non-state actor;

34. Underscores the importance of continued funding, in the next MFF, for effective protection of the EU’s external borders; underlines the need to counter trafficking networks and address hybrid attacks and the instrumentalisation of migrants, by third countries or hostile non-state actors;

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Amendment 17

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34 a. Highlights the necessity of providing adequate financial support to frontline Member States, which bear the brunt of migration pressures, to ensure that they have the resources needed to manage migration flows effectively while upholding EU values, in particular by providing European funding for physical infrastructure, electronic border security enhancements and other innovative tools for border surveillance;

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Amendment 18

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34 b (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34 b. Underlines that, in addition to efforts to mitigate climate change through the green transition, significant investment is required to adapt to climate change, in particular to protect against and reduce the impact of natural disasters and severe weather events; considers that support for this purpose must be significantly increased in the next MFF;

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Amendment 19

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 34 c (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

34 c. Stresses the need to empower the development of critical and dual-use technologies within the EU, minimise external interference, and reduce reliance on imports to secure the EU’s autonomy and infrastructure;

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Amendment 20

Motion for a resolution

Subheading 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

External action and enlargement

Migration, external action and enlargement

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Amendment 21

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 38

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

38. Underlines that the budget must uphold the Union’s role as the world’s leading provider of development aid and climate finance in line with the Union’s global obligations and commitments; insists that the budget must continue to support the Union in its efforts to defend the rules-based international order, democracy, multilateralism, human rights and fundamental values;

38. Underlines that the budget must uphold the Union’s role as the world’s leading provider of development aid and climate finance in line with the Union’s global obligations and commitments; insists that the budget must continue to support the Union in its efforts to defend the rules-based international order, democracy, multilateralism and human rights;

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Amendment 22

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 40

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

40. Emphasises that, in a context in which global actors are increasingly using trade interdependence as a means of economic coercion, the Union must bolster its capacity to protect and advance its own strategic interests, develop more robust tools to counter coercion and ensure genuine reciprocity in its partnerships;

40. Emphasises that, in a context in which global actors are increasingly using trade interdependence as a means of economic coercion, the Union must bolster its capacity to protect and advance its own strategic interests, develop more robust tools to counter coercion and ensure genuine reciprocity in its partnerships; likewise, the Union must be able to use all available instruments – diplomatic, economic, and development cooperation – to build stronger, more effective and mutually beneficial partnerships;

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Amendment 23

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 43

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

43. Stresses that financial support must be conditional on the implementation of reforms and adherence to Union values; emphasises, in this regard, the need for a strong governance model that ensures parliamentary accountability, oversight and control;

43. Stresses that financial support must be conditional on respect for the rule of law and adherence to Union values, the respect of obligations stemming from International Law as well as on the implementation of reforms; emphasises, in this regard, the need for a strong governance model that ensures parliamentary accountability, oversight and control;

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Amendment 24

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 46

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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 promoting and protecting democracy and the Union’s values, enshrined in Article 2 TEU, 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 the judiciary, the sound functioning of democratic institutions, independence and pluralism of the media, the transparency and anti-corruption framework, good governance, checks and balances, and support for civil society;

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Amendment 25

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 47

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

47. Stresses that instability in neighbouring regions, poverty, underlying trends in economic development and demographic changes continue to generate migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on asylum and migration systems; underlines that the post-2027 MFF must support the full implementation of the Union’s Asylum and Migration Pact, in line with fundamental rights and EU values; underlines, moreover, that, in line with the Pact, cooperation with third countries on migration must abide by EU law and respect international standards;

47. Stresses that instability in neighbouring regions, poverty, underlying trends in economic development and demographic changes and the criminal business of migrant smuggling and human trafficking continue to generate irregular migration flows towards the Union, placing significant pressure on asylum and migration systems; underlines that the post-2027 MFF must support the full implementation of the Union’s Asylum and Migration Pact, the protection of our external borders and effective return policies; underlines the need for enhanced and more comprehensive cooperation with third countries on migration, pursuing stronger, more effective and mutually beneficial partnerships that respect international standards;

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Amendment 26

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 47 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

47 a. Calls for support to be provided under the new MFF in the form of compensation for EU citizens after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, which caused significant displacement and resulted in a long-term socio-economic gap in support for affected communities;

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Amendment 27

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 48

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

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, as it affects the sound management of EU funds, mutual recognition of judgments, mutual trust and the functioning of the single market; 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 regarding the suspension or reduction of 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;

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Amendment 28

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 49

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

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 and proper functioning of the single market; 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;

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Amendment 29

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 50

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States;

50. Calls for the consolidation of a robust rule of law toolbox, building on the current conditionality provisions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the horizontal enabling conditions in the Common Provisions Regulation, which should be consistently applied across all EU funds under the new MFF; underlines the need for far greater transparency and consistency with regard to the application of tools to protect the rule of law and for Parliament’s role to be strengthened in the application and scrutiny of such measures; insists, furthermore, on the need for consistency across instruments when assessing breaches of the rule of law in Member States;

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Amendment 30

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 51

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

51. Recalls that the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides that final recipients should not be deprived of the benefits of EU funds in the event of sanctions being applied to their government; believes that, to date, this provision has not been effective and stresses the importance of applying a smart conditionality approach so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions; calls on the Commission to explore additional ways of ensuring that local and regional authorities, civil society and other beneficiaries can continue to benefit from Union funding in cases of breaches of the rule of law by national governments without weakening the application of the regulation;

51. Recalls that the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides that final recipients should not be deprived of the benefits of EU funds in the event of measures being applied to their Member State or its government entities; believes that, to date, this provision has not been effective and stresses the importance of applying a smart conditionality approach so that beneficiaries are not penalised because of their government’s actions; calls on the Commission to explore additional ways of ensuring that local and regional authorities, civil society and other beneficiaries can continue to benefit from Union funding in cases of breaches of the rule of law by Member States without weakening the application of the regulation;

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Amendment 31

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 51 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

51 a. Stresses the importance of a well-funded, independent, and diverse media landscape in fostering democracy and addressing harmful threats to and attacks on the European Union, such as disinformation and foreign interference; calls for the highest standards of media freedom and editorial independence for journalists to be upheld through enhanced direct funding and support mechanisms; urges the strengthening of existing EU actions to protect media freedom, while encouraging the development of new initiatives to support independent journalism and media in both EU Member States and candidate countries;

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Amendment 32

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 53

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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;

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

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Amendment 33

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 59 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

59 a. Calls for adequate financing to support the revised mandates of EU institutions, agencies and bodies, ensuring they have the necessary resources to perform their tasks and effectively address evolving challenges;

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Amendment 34

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 66

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

66. Believes that, while allocating a significant portion of funding to objectives up-front, spending programmes should retain a substantial in-built flexibility reserve, with allocation to specific policy objectives to be decided by the budgetary authority; notes that the NDICI – Global Europe’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion provides a model for such a flexibility reserve, but that the decision-making process for its mobilisation must not be replicated in the future MFF; points to the need for a detailed budgetary breakdown to ensure decisions by the budgetary authority are meaningful;

66. Believes that, while allocating a significant portion of funding to objectives up-front, spending programmes should retain a substantial in-built flexibility reserve, with allocation to specific policy objectives to be decided by the co-legislators and the budgetary authority, as applicable; notes that the NDICI – Global Europe’s emerging challenges and priorities cushion provides a model for such a flexibility reserve, but that the decision-making process for its mobilisation must not be replicated in the future MFF; points to the need for stronger and effective scrutiny powers of the co-legislators over the setting of policy priorities and objectives and for a detailed budgetary breakdown to ensure decisions by the budgetary authority are meaningful;

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