The European Parliament is placing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen under growing pressure to revise the European Union’s proposed seven-year budget for 2028–2034. Four centrist parliamentary groups have warned that they could block a key component of the plan unless their demands are addressed, signaling a direct challenge to the Commission’s authority.
A draft letter from the groups, still being finalized, urges the Commission to overhaul its July proposal to reflect the priorities of the European People’s Party (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, and the Greens. These parties together hold a majority in Parliament, giving them the power to shape or reject the EU’s long-term financial plan.
The dispute centers on the Commission’s “national plans,” which would consolidate roughly half of the €1.8 trillion budget—mainly funding for farmers and regions—into pots managed by national governments. Lawmakers argue this model risks centralizing power in member states and undermining the role of regions in managing EU funds.
“As the current proposal on the [national plans] does not take our core requests into consideration, it cannot constitute a basis for negotiations,” the draft says.
“We therefore look forward to seeing our key requests meaningfully reflected in an amended proposal of the European Commission, which would allow the negotiations with the European Parliament to move forward.”
The letter underscores that the Parliament is prepared to escalate the matter if the Commission fails to act, with a resolution rejecting the national plans scheduled for the session beginning Nov. 12. That date also marks the final opportunity to reach agreement before negotiations stall.
EU governments continue to deliberate on the budget, a process expected to stretch into early 2027. Once these discussions conclude, Parliament will negotiate directly with national capitals and vote on the plan, placing von der Leyen’s leadership and the Commission’s vision for the EU budget squarely under scrutiny.
