COVID-19: Budget MEPs call for quick progress on post-2020 contingency plan

02-04-2020 - 15:05
Metal bar saying 'Financial Framework' on a background of euro coins and bills
Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 © Image used under the license from Shutterstock.com

While work on establishing the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 must go on, and take into account the fallout from the current health crisis in the long term, it is all the more urgent for the Commission to propose a contingency plan that will enter into force on 1st January 2021, considering the delays for a timely MFF agreement to be expected due to the COVID-19-crisis, the Chair and Coordinators of the Committee on Budgets underlined.

The contingency plan should also be able to address the immediate consequences of the Corona emergency, in line with the positive steps being taken in the 2020 budget in terms of reorientation and reinforcements of existing instruments.
As for the MFF, the MEPs have recently, in their 26 March press release, called for an update of the current proposal from May 2018 (see previous highlight). They welcomed the positive and prompt follow-up by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with her announcement, on Saturday, that "the Commission will propose changes in the MFF proposal that will allow to address the fallout of the coronavirus crisis. This will include a stimulus package that will ensure that cohesion within the Union is maintained through solidarity and responsibility."
For the full text of the press release, see the link below.