MEPs argue 2026 EU budget should focus on competitiveness, defence and research

Budgetary resolution complements the recent vote on figures and finalises budget MEPs’ position on next year’s EU budget

Plenary to confirm position on 22 October, negotiations with Council to start in November

MEPs add €597,8 million to the draft 2026 budget as proposed by the Commission

MEPs on the Budgets Committee want a 2026 budget that reinforces the EU’s key priorities in uncertain times, boost research, competitiveness, and defence.

In their draft resolution adopted on Monday, following and accompanying the vote on the budgetary figures of 6 October, budget MEPs reiterate that amid global instability, security threats, rising protectionism, and worsening climate change, the EU needs a strong, investment-focused budget to support people and priorities. MEPs reaffirm strong support for Ukraine and stress joint investment to help the EU’s united, firm response to new global and hybrid security threats.

MEPs criticise the Council for cutting €1.3 billion in commitment appropriations from next year’s budget, saying these reductions ignore real needs and harm key programmes like Erasmus+ and EU4Health. While MEPs remain committed to reimburse the Next generation EU debt interest, they also warn against using funds meant to strengthen key priorities for the purpose of debt repayment. MEPs emphasise that any new policies must come with fresh money, proper staffing, and sufficient resources, and that all EU spending must remain transparent and under parliamentary scrutiny.

Research and infrastructure

MEPs restore the draft budget to Commission-proposed levels €1.3 billion in commitment appropriations and in order to boost competitiveness, job-creation and cross-border infrastructure, MEPs want increase allocations for Horizon Europe by €60 million, transport and energy networks with €80 million. MEPs also want to reinforce funding for health and education by increasing funding for EU4Health and Erasmus+ by €5 million respectively.

Response capabilities and military mobility

MEPs stress the need to reverse Council cuts under the agricultural programmes, particularly in light of rising food prices and the growing challenges to food security and they want increased funding are support for young farmers by €23 million, and other priorities under the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund by €40 million. MEPs also want to see an increase to the Civil Protection Mechanism by €30 million to improve effective EU coordination and robust disaster response capacities in light of the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and natural disasters. MEPs also argue that military mobility should get additional €35 million funding as it plays an essential role in the EU’s defence preparedness.

Geopolitical instability, global crises

MEPs push for €35 million of increased funding for the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, and also call for an €25 million increase for the Eastern Neighbourhood, to help countries which continue to be significantly affected by the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. In terms of humanitarian aid, MEPs want to see €50 million increase given the increasing geopolitical instability, accelerating global humanitarian crises and climate change-induced emergencies.

Further figures are available in the recent press release on the vote on the budgetary figures.

The draft resolution by rapporteurs Andrzej Halicki (EPP, PL) , general rapporteur for the EU budget 2026 (for section III - Commission) Matjaž Nemec (S&D, SI), rapporteur for the other sections, was adopted by 23 in favour, 7 against, and 3 abstentions.

Next steps

The Parliament plenary is expected to vote on its position on 22 October, launching three weeks of negotiations with the Council, which has adopted its position in September, to reach an agreement on next year’s budget before the end of the year. The first round of talks is expected to place on 4 November.