The new EU budget: from COVID-19 remedies to green goals

video & audio recordings

European Union member states were unable to agree on the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual budget for more than two years now, while the dramatic economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has completely changed the economic and social landscape. Jobs and well-being are at risk, while hard-hit regions might fall behind. Lockdown measures reduce environmentally harmful emissions temporarily, but corporate rescues might not help the EU’s green transition goals.

The European Commission revealed its new multiannual budget proposal, along with a new recovery facility, on Wednesday 27 May 2020. Speakers of this event evaluated this proposal, including its potential to support economic recovery and convergence in the EU. How are social, green, digital, research and global agendas included in the proposal? How has the priorities reflected in EU spending shifted due to the pandemic? What are the proposed changes on the financing of the EU budget?