EU Budget 2027: Renew Europe defends investment in Europe's future and secures stronger cybersecurity funding
Renew Europe welcomes the agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the EU's 2027 budget, defending investment in research, environment/climate, innovation, competitiveness and security improving our strategic autonomy, while ensuring additional resources to strengthen cybersecurity across European institutions.
The agreement on the final annual budget of the current Multiannual Financial Framework (2021–2027) comes at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, increasing cyber threats and mounting pressure on European public finances.
Throughout negotiations, Renew Europe has pushed for a budget that delivers genuine European added value, prioritising investment in key programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, EU4Health, Union Civil Protection Mechanism, LIFE, and the Connecting Europe Facility, while insisting that taxpayers' money is spent responsibly. Moreover thanks to Renew Europe's efforts, additional funding has been secured for the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), taking into account the extension of its mandate to Hungary and the additional resources needed to ensure its effective operation.
Moritz Körner MEP (FDP, Germany), Renew Europe's lead negotiator on the European Commission section of the EU budget, said: “Europe needs a budget that invests in tomorrow, not just pays for yesterday. This agreement puts the focus where it belongs: research, innovation, competitiveness and security. These are the programmes that strengthen our economy, create opportunities and help Europe respond to growing geopolitical challenges. At a time when public finances are under pressure, every euro must deliver real European added value. The EU cannot afford to spend more without spending better. Responsible budgeting and investment in Europe's future must go hand in hand.”
Moritz KörnerRenew Europe MEP, Germany, Freie Demokratische Partei
Beyond the EU's operational programmes, Renew Europe also secured additional staff and funding to reinforce cybersecurity in European institutions, including the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Ombudsman and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).
These additional resources will help strengthen the protection of European institutions, safeguard sensitive information and improve resilience against cyberattacks and other threats to the Union's democratic processes.
Fabienne Keller MEP (Renaissance, France), Renew Europe's lead negotiator on the budgets of the EU institutions and bodies, said: “The negotiations on the final budget of the current financial framework were tough, but we have secured additional staff and funding to strengthen cybersecurity across European institutions, including the European External Action Service, the Ombudsman and the European Data Protection Supervisor. At a time when Europe faces growing cyber threats, protecting our institutions and our democratic processes is more important than ever. Cybersecurity has long been a Renew Europe priority, and this agreement delivers concrete results. Europe must be equipped to confront the security challenges ahead.”
Fabienne KellerRenew Europe MEP, France, Renaissance
Renew Europe also stresses the importance of ensuring that rising debt-servicing costs associated with NextGenerationEU do not undermine funding for programmes that strengthen Europe's competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.
As negotiations continue on the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, Renew Europe will continue advocating a European budget that combines ambitious investment, new own resources, stronger security, fiscal responsibility and sustainable financing.