EU budget post-2027: democracy and European unity at risk under current proposal, local and regional leaders warn

A debate on the next EU long-term budget after 2027, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), highlighted major concerns among regions and cities regarding the proposal put forward by the European Commission on 16 July. The exchange, held during the meeting of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) on 7 October, brought together representatives of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU and of the European Commission, to discuss the future budget of the Union.  

Democracy and European unity risk being jeopardised if the current proposal on the next EU long-term budget is adopted, local and regional leaders have warned during a debate in COTER commission. The exchange of views kicked off the work on the opinion on the next MFF, led by the rapporteur Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), Member of the Hämeenlinna City Council and President of the EPP group at the CoR. Ms Rautio underlined that the debate on the future EU budget “is about more than money, it is about democracy and European unity”.

The new MFF structure would merge several areas - from Cohesion Policy to Common Agricultural Policy - into a single, large fund, while concentrating the management of resources and programmes in the hands of national governments. The rapporteur warned that shifting from regional programmes to centralised national plans could undermine cohesion, multi-level governance, and citizens’ trust, calling instead for a framework that maintains partnership, agility, flexibility, and a place-based approach.

COTER members recognised the need to modernise Cohesion Policy and align the new EU long-term budget with urgent priorities such as security and defence – particularly for regions along the EU’s eastern borders. However, they warned that necessary reforms could prove counterproductive if regions and cities are excluded from the design and implementation of territorial investments. 

“Even if this was not the intention, the result would be that the MFF will amputate the EU from its regional and local dimension. And this cannot be accepted” said the COTER chair, Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PES/PT), while summarising the concerns expressed by members of the commission.

During the debate, the Danish Presidency acknowledged that the Council’s assessment of the MFF proposal is still ongoing and expressed its ambition to present a draft negotiating box to the European Council in December.  

Ms. Rautio’s draft opinion is scheduled for a vote by the COTER commission on 1-2 December and will be submitted to the CoR plenary in March 2026.  

New rapporteurs on MFF files appointed  

Members also appointed four rapporteurs for opinions which will assess specific draft regulations included in the MFF proposal: 

• The COTER Chair and first Vice-Chair, Vasco Alves Cordeiro (PT/PES) and Emil Boc (RO/EPP) were appointed co-rapporteurs on the National and Regional Partnership Plans Fund Regulation 

• María Guardiola (ES/EPP), President of the Regional Government of Extremadura, on the European Regional Development Fund including European Territorial Cooperation and Cohesion Fund Regulation 

• Luca Menesini (IT/PES), member of the Lucca Province Council, on the Performance Framework Regulation 

• Juraj Droba (SK/ECR), Chairman of the Bratislava self-governing Region, on the Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034 Regulation 

All the draft opinions will be debated and voted on during the first half of 2026.  

Combating transport poverty to strengthen European cohesion and competitiveness 

In a draft opinion adopted during the meeting, COTER members warned that transport poverty is increasingly affecting regions and cities across the EU, stressing that connectivity is vital for economic, social, and territorial cohesion. With a key role to play in delivering the EU’s objectives for the transition to sustainable mobility, local and regional leaders underlined the chronic underfunding of transport sector. They called for the coordinated use of the Social Climate Fund, cohesion funds, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), in support of place-based solutions, stressing the importance of investing in measures that make a difference over the short term in addition to longer-term investments. The opinion calls for support for public and rail transport to be prioritised where appropriate, along with accompanying measures for the switch from old, polluting cars to cleaner ones, to ensure fair and sustainable mobility in all types of EU regions and for all citizens. 

Rapporteur Patrik Schwarcz-Kiefer (HU/EPP), member of the County Council of Baranya Vármegye said: "Transport poverty is not an isolated issue – it is closely linked to every other form of poverty, from energy to economic hardship. It hits hardest in rural and border regions, where mobility is not just a matter of convenience, but a question of opportunity, access, and dignity. If we are serious about fairness in Europe, we must ensure that everyone, everywhere, can move, connect, and participate in society." 

Also during the meeting 

COTER members also had a first debate on an opinion which will explore the role of the private sector in strengthening Cohesion Policy after 2027. Local and regional representatives stressed that a stronger and more strategic cooperation with the private sector is essential to make Cohesion Policy more effective, attract investment and ensure lasting growth across all regions.  

The draft opinion, prepared by the rapporteur Kristoffer Tamsons (SE/EPP), member of the County Council of the Stockholm Region, will be voted by the COTER commission on 1 December and by the CoR plenary in March 2026.  

Background 

• Recording of the meeting. 

• On 16 July, the European Commission unveiled its proposal on the future MFF, together with a package of sectorial legislations linked to it. The MFF 2028-34 would be built upon several mega funds. One of these would be the Fund to be delivered through National Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP), covering a number of areas from Cohesion Policy to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), fisheries and migration/security.  

• Next week, the plenary of the CoR will vote on a resolution on the future EU long-term budget which represents a first assessment of the European Commission's proposal, in view of the work started in COTER with the Rautio's opinion. Follow the CoR plenary.  

• Together with the leading European associations of cities and regions, the CoR is a founding partner of the #CohesionAlliance, the EU-widest coalition of representatives of cities and regions, social partners and civic society associations advocating for cohesion as a key objective for all EU policies and investments, and for a strengthened Cohesion Policy after 2027. The next #CohesionAlliance event will take place on 15 October in Brussels, during the 23rd European Week of Regions and Cities. More details.