In a global context marked by economic instability, geopolitical pressure and accelerated technological transformation, European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu argues that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) must be ambitious and fair for the period 2028–2034. Directly involved in the debates and negotiations regarding the architecture of the future European budget, the MEP argues that it must become an instrument capable of protecting citizens and strengthening the Union’s competitiveness in the long term.
The European Commission has proposed a budget of approximately €2 trillion, an increase of more than 50% compared to the previous financial framework, alongside a reform that would consolidate several existing funds, including those dedicated to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Policy, into a single major fund.
In this context, Victor Negrescu plays an active role in shaping the political position regarding the future European budget. As Vice-President of the Party of European Socialists and coordinator of the working group of the European social-democratic family dedicated to the future Multiannual Financial Framework, he has contributed to defining a common vision focused on social investments, cohesion, and sustainable development.
For the European social democrats, the future budget must strengthen the European Social Fund Plus, cohesion policy, investments in affordable housing, quality jobs, and an agricultural policy oriented toward farmers and healthy products.
“Citizens expect Europe to be both a shield and a driver of development. The EU budget must be a real instrument of solidarity and transformation, ensuring that no region and no citizen is left behind,” Victor Negrescu stated.
Education and skills: investing in Europe’s competitive future
In addition to his role in budget negotiations, Victor Negrescu promotes increasing European investments in education and skills. As the initiator and co-chair of the Intergroup on the Future of Education and Skills for a Competitive Europe, he proposed increasing allocations for education to 20% of the future European Union budget.
The MEP argues that investments in human capital are essential for reducing poverty and strengthening European economic competitiveness.
At the same time, he proposed identifying new European own resources dedicated to education, including through the introduction of a European tax applied to the online gambling industry. The proposal was materialized through an amendment submitted to the report on the future Multiannual Financial Framework, with estimates indicating that such a measure could generate between €2 and €4 billion annually for investments in education, skills, and prevention.
Health: a strategic investment and reducing inequalities
In the field of health, Victor Negrescu supports a substantial increase in funding to reduce inequalities between Member States and the maintenance of financing within a dedicated programme in order to guarantee predictability and a real impact of the measures.
The objective of the European social democrats is an allocation of approximately €90 billion for health in the period 2028–2034, almost double the current proposal of the European Commission.
According to him, investments in health are essential for the resilience of healthcare systems and for ensuring equity in access to prevention and treatment, and health should be treated as a strategic investment, not simply as an expense.
Justice and rule of law: foundations of trust and security
Victor Negrescu’s expertise in European budgetary policies is also reflected in his work in the field of justice. As rapporteur for the Committee on Legal Affairs on the European budget for justice, he secured political support for increasing allocations to approximately €0.8 billion, nearly three times the current level.
The initiative aims to improve European judicial cooperation and ensure real access to justice for citizens.
The future of the Common Agricultural Policy
The agricultural dimension remains a central element of European budget negotiations. Following the reform proposed by the European Commission, for the period 2028–2034 European farmers would benefit from approximately €300 billion, more than 20% less than in the current financial framework.
In this context, Victor Negrescu is the rapporteur of the Committee on Budgets for the Common Agricultural Policy post-2028, being directly involved in negotiations regarding the financing of European agriculture. His efforts have contributed to mobilizing additional resources worth €45 billion at the European level in order to respond to the needs of farmers and rural communities.
