EU budget priorities must reflect new global landscape

The EPP Group wants to set the stage for the 2026 EU budget by adopting strong and clear priorities. "In times of geopolitical uncertainty, the European Parliament must act as one," says Andrzej Halicki MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair and the Parliament's negotiator on the general guidelines for the 2026 EU budget, ahead of today’s vote. “We call on all constructive political groups to support our common key priorities such as defence, security, energy, competitiveness, agriculture, economic resilience, crisis response, health, democracy, and strengthening the European Union in an evolving global landscape.”

These budgetary guidelines aim to address the challenges facing Europeans with ambition and determination. "This vote is about more than just budgetary figures and priorities—it is about our Institution’s ability to stand united despite political differences. It's a matter of our credibility as an Institution," Halicki adds. "By adopting these priorities we reaffirm our role in shaping a budget that serves the common good, ensuring that no single issue or special interest derails the process."

With the 2026 priorities to be voted on today, the EPP Group puts courage and unity above all else. “For us, it is essential that the budget impacts all Europeans,” Halicki concludes.

The general budgetary guidelines outline the Parliament’s key priorities ahead of the European Commission’s draft budget, which is due to be presented in early June.