European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EU financing
The von der Leyen Commission’s six priorities: State of play in autumn 2020
In her statements to the European Parliament in July and November 2019, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the political priorities that would shape the Commission’s work programme for the years 2019 to 2024. The 2020 Commission work programme, adopted before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, mirrored these priorities. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, May 2020
The May 2020 plenary session was the third conducted with a majority of Members participating remotely, although more were present in Brussels than at the April session, and using the alternative voting procedure put in place in March by Parliament’s Bureau. Continue reading
Coronavirus and the cost of non-Europe: An analysis of the economic benefits of common European action
Although the European Union is about much more than economics – promoting peace, common values, democratic governance, international development, human rights, health, social protection, research and innovation, and many other public goods – the process of European integration has been key to driving economic growth for half a century, generating significant gains in gross domestic product (GDP) for EU Member States both collectively and individually. Continue reading
Collective intelligence at EU level: Social and democratic dimensions
Humans are among the many living species capable of collaborative and imaginative thinking. While it is widely agreed among scholars that this capacity has contributed to making humans the dominant species, other crucial questions remain open to debate. Is it possible to encourage large groups of people to engage in collective thinking? Continue reading
Financing EU external action in the new MFF, 2021-2027: Heading 6 ‘Neighbourhood and the World’
In May 2018, the European Commission published its proposals for the new multiannual financial framework (MFF), the EU’s seven-year budget for the 2021-2027 period, followed by proposals for the MFF’s individual sectoral programmes. Continue reading
Cohesion funds, values and economic and monetary union in the 2021-2027 MFF: European Parliament position on Heading 2 – Cohesion and values
Heading 2 – Cohesion and values – is the biggest in terms of budget in the multiannual financial framework (MFF) proposed by the European Commission for the 2021 to 2027 period. Continue reading
How the EU budget is spent: Spending programmes under the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework
The EU budget corresponds to around 2 % of total public spending in the European Union, and its impact on the economy is debated, with many analysts deeming it relatively small in size in comparison with the wide range of policy areas in which the EU has responsibilities. However, the EU budget has features that can amplify its impact, starting with the underpinning idea that pooling resources at EU level can be more efficient and effective in a number of policy areas than individual expenditure by Member States. Continue reading
How the EU budget is spent: Euratom research and training programme
All EU Member States are party to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The purpose of the Community is to create the necessary conditions for the development of a powerful European nuclear industry. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Future financing of EU policies [Policy Podcast]
The principle of subsidiarity means that the European Union (EU) should act where it can do so more effectively than its constituent Member States individually, and this also holds true in the area of public finance – the EU’s budget together with off-budget tools for financing EU policies. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: The migration issue [Policy Podcast]
Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. In recent years, Europe has had to respond to the most severe migratory challenge since the end of the Second World War. Continue reading
Minimum loss coverage for non-performing loans [EU Legislation in Progress]
The recessions resulting from the financial crisis that broke out at the end of the last decade have caused economic difficulties for more and more EU companies and citizens in recent years, leaving them unable to repay their loans. Continue reading
Credit servicers, credit purchasers and the recovery of collateral: Fostering secondary markets for non-performing loans (NPLs) and easing collateral recovery [EU Legislation in Progress]
Due to the recessions brought about by the financial crisis from the end of the past decade, more and more EU companies and citizens have faced economic difficulties in recent years and have been unable to repay their loans. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, January II 2019
Highlights of the January II plenary session included the Future of Europe debate with Juha Sipilä, Finland’s prime minister, and the latest debate on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Continue reading
European Investment Stabilisation Function (EISF) [EU Legislation in Progress]
The idea behind the Commission’s proposed European Investment Stabilisation Function is to use dedicated financial means from the EU budget to help Member States stabilise their economies in the event of a major asymmetric shock. Continue reading
Ten issues to watch in 2019
This annual publication offers up-to-date insight from policy analysts in the European Parliamentary Research Service on ten key issues and policy areas that are likely to feature prominently on the political agenda of the European Union (EU) in 2019. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, December 2018
The December plenary session was marked by theterrorist attack that took place in Strasbourg on 11 December. Continue reading
Own resources of the European Union: Reforming the EU’s financing system [EU Legislation in Progress]
The EU budget is financed by the system of own resources and cannot run a deficit. The current system provides sufficient revenue to cover EU expenditure, but has often been criticised as opaque and unfair. Continue reading
CAP horizontal regulation: Financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy for 2021-2027 [EU Legislation in Progress]
As part of the preparation of the EU budget for 2021-2027, the European Commission put forward a new set of regulations to shape the future EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 1 June 2018. Continue reading
Reform of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was created in 2006 to finance active labour market policies targeting workers who have lost their jobs because of trade adjustment. Continue reading
Digital Europe programme: Funding digital transformation beyond 2020 [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
In the framework of the next long-term EU budget for 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing a new, €9.2 billion programme to build up digital capacity and infrastructure and support a digital single market. Continue reading
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