Historic Victory – European Parliament Rejects Weak Budget Compromise
With a clear majority European members of parliament confronted EU’s governing body – budget negotiations on the financial framework 2014-2020 of the EU now have to be reopened
Gabi Zimmer, head of the left European parliamentary group GUE/NGL: „The times when Europe’s governing body could bypass the parliament are eventually over. A majority of European parliamentarians have sent a clear message today: the European Parliament has the right of codecision on the budget and it will have a say in it. The Council will neither abolish growing unemployment nor create sustainable growth or jobs by austerity policy.“
Cornelia Ernst, subsidies expert of GUE/NGL parliamentary group: „I appreciate that the European Parliament gave its negotiation team a strong mandate. The planned cuts of 8.4% (28,7 mrd.) in the areas of regional cohesion policy are absolutely unacceptable. Instead, we need an increase of means, not cuts. Formerly highly eligible regions in East Germany should according to the plan of the European Council receive merely 64% of the former funding amount – this does not nearly suffice. The phasing out regions like Luneburg, Leipzig, and South Brandenburg fall completely out of the transitional provisions. The macro economic conditionality, sanctioning regions when the state does not adhere to the Stability and Growth Pact, may under no circumstances be part of the next funding period. And, of course, the cutting of subsidiary programmes for the poor from 3,5 mrd. to 2,5 mrd has to be annulled.“
Jürgen Klute, budget expert of GUE/NGL parliamentary group welcomes the rejection of the inacceptable cost-cutting budget for the next seven years: „The European Parliament proved its strength today to revolt against the Council. We hope to prevent budget cuts especially in the social sector in new negotiations with the heads of state or government of the member states.“ Since entry into force of the Lisbon treaty the Parliament is authorised to decide in budget matters on equal footing with the council.
Strasbourg, 13. March 2013