The Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which began on January 1, has set itself the goal of helping EU member states reach a common position on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. This year will see intensive negotiations among EU institutions on the detailed shape of the next long-term EU budget. The European Parliament has already raised objections to some elements of the European Commission proposal presented in July 2025, including the idea of national financial envelopes combining the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion policy.
What the Multiannual Financial Framework Is
“The Multiannual Financial Framework is the European Union’s long-term budget,” said Bartosz Ochapski, former press attaché of the European Parliament, speaking to the Newseria news agency during the December plenary session in Strasbourg.
“Through this instrument, the EU plans its spending over the next seven years. It defines how much money can be spent and on what. As for milestones, negotiations on each MFF typically begin two to three years before the period it is meant to cover.”
The current MFF for 2021–2027 amounts to around €1.21 trillion in constant 2018 prices, equivalent to approximately 1.1% of the EU’s gross national income (GNI). By contrast, the draft framework for 2028–2034 presented by the European Commission in July 2025 envisages spending of nearly €2 trillion in current prices, corresponding to 1.26% of GNI.
Spending Framework, Annual Budgets, and Parliamentary Oversight
“The MFF sets the overall spending framework,” Ochapski explained. “It specifies what share of the budget can be allocated to particular objectives and programs within the EU budget. Exact amounts, however, are decided year by year. Each annual budget is not only adopted but later also audited and scrutinized by the European Parliament.”
Parliament Calls for a More Ambitious Budget
In its position adopted last year, the European Parliament outlined a number of priorities for the next EU budgetary period. MEPs stressed that the upcoming long-term budget must be significantly more ambitious than the current 2021–2027 framework, reflecting the growing number of challenges facing the Union.
“For the European Parliament, the key issue is increasing available resources,” the expert noted. “MEPs believe that for the EU to function effectively, it needs greater financial capacity.”
Another major point of contention is the Commission’s proposal to introduce single national financial envelopes. According to Parliament, such a move would effectively mean abandoning EU-wide programs—such as those supporting regional development—in favor of funds fully controlled by individual member states.
“The European Parliament does not want to agree to this solution,” Ochapski said, “because it believes the EU budget should primarily finance objectives that are unattainable or difficult for individual member states to achieve on their own.”
Concerns Over Agriculture and Cohesion Policy
MEPs have also voiced concerns about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and cohesion policy. In the current financial framework, these policies function as separate pillars of the EU budget. Critics warn that merging them into a single pool of funds could lead to direct competition for resources and undermine the stability of financing for both agriculture and regional development.
In addition, the European Parliament supports linking access to EU funds to respect for the rule of law and compliance with EU legal standards by member states.
Next Steps in the Negotiations
The draft Multiannual Financial Framework will now be negotiated between the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union. Reaching a final agreement on the EU budget for 2028–2034 will require unanimous approval by all member states as well as the consent of the European Parliament.
