Proposal to redistribute the Community budget funds

2 September 2020

Article by Yiorgos Georgiou AKEL MEP

The European Parliament has begun the process of formulating its proposal for the 2001 Community budget. The basis for the debate is the Commission’s proposal, as well as the notorious agreement reached at the European Council in July.

Unfortunately, what is being proposed falls way short of addressing the dramatic conditions we face. The proposals submitted so far are within the same context of the ruling neoliberal philosophy, ignoring the effects of the pandemic and economic crisis that are plaguing the peoples.

As the shadow Rapporteur on the Community budget for 2021 on matters relating to the Committee on Energy, Industry and Research, on behalf of the Group of the European United Left, I submitted specific amendments calling for, inter alia, the following:

– Substantial increase in funding for the support of the public health system, so that all people have access to quality and public health services.

– Increase the funding proposed for the Horizon Europe research project so as to provide support for research and innovation on health issues and the protection of the environment.

– The proposed program for nuclear energy should b4e abolished and the available funds for the development of renewable energy sources should be utilised and the effects of climate change tackled.

– The defense industry program should also be abolished and the fund to support small businesses utilised and improve their access to funding.

Hypocritical tears have been shed over the European Council’s decision to cut, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the budget on health, as well as other funds that were earmarked to support the real economy. Now, the European Parliament has the opportunity to correct the decisions that were taken, guided by the economic interests of the EU’s powerful states and big business. Our position, as AKEL but also as the Political Group of the European United Left, is clear and has been tabled, in writing, with our amendments.

The vote in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will take place on 7th September.