The European Commission comprises one commissioner from each of the 27 EU member states, forming the political leadership (the College of Commissioners) for a five-year term. The President of the Commission assigns specific policy areas to each commissioner. Poland’s candidate, Piotr Serafin, has been approved as the Commissioner for Budget, Fraud Prevention, and Public Administration. His primary tasks will include securing funds to pay off debts and ensuring resources for the EU’s policies.
In his opening speech during the hearing, Piotr Serafin highlighted the importance of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027, emphasizing the need to balance new priorities—such as defense and digitalization—with existing policies on climate, cohesion, and agriculture. He stressed the need for flexibility, simplification, and maximizing the impact of every euro. Serafin proposed creating a Competitiveness Fund to boost innovation and link member states’ plans with reforms. He also committed to strengthening protections against financial abuse and safeguarding the rule of law in connection with EU funds.
“I hope the European Commission will begin its work in December. The role of the Budget Commissioner, Minister Serafin, is and will be crucial for the new European Commission,” said Michał Kobosko, Member of the European Parliament from Polska 2050, during EFNI 2024 in an interview with eNewsroom.pl. “The future EU budget for the 2028 framework is on the table. There are various controversies surrounding how this budget should be structured—whether it should follow the current model or adopt new principles. What are the most pressing financial needs today?
The assumption is, of course, that an EU Commissioner does not represent their country but all 27 member states. However, commissioners inevitably retain ties to their nationality and origins. It is a positive development that Minister Serafin has been appointed Budget Commissioner, as budgetary matters and today’s debates on how to structure the EU budget will be pivotal in the new terms of the European Commission and Parliament.
Some EU countries advocate for changes to how cohesion funds and funds for Poland are allocated. For instance, they argue that the National Recovery Plan has proven successful, so future EU funds should follow a similar centralized approach. This would limit the ability of Polish regions to decide how to allocate EU funds and make the process more centralized. From the Polish perspective, we firmly oppose this idea, and I am confident Commissioner Serafin will also support this stance,” predicted MEP Michał Kobosko.
Source: ManagerPlus
