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Lost in stagnation: the EU's next multiannual financial framework (2014–2020) and the power of the status quo
Lost in Stagnation: die Verhandlungen über den nächsten mehrjährigen Finanzrahmen der EU (2014-2020) und das Festhalten am Status quo
[working paper]
Corporate Editor
Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik -SWP- Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit
Abstract The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) defines the European Union’s strategic objectives for 2014 to 2020 and sets out how their implementation is to be funded from the EU budget. For the fifth MFF the Commission proposes a total volume of approximately one trillion euros. Although past MFF negot... view more
The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) defines the European Union’s strategic objectives for 2014 to 2020 and sets out how their implementation is to be funded from the EU budget. For the fifth MFF the Commission proposes a total volume of approximately one trillion euros. Although past MFF negotiations have always concluded with an agreement in the end, decision-makers in the EU’s organs and member-states have become increasingly dissatisfied with the process and its outcomes. But those involved find themselves unable to reform the MFF. The contradiction springs above all from the extreme path-dependency of the European budget system. Every European budget compromise agreed consolidates institutional structures and increases the costs of change, even as the outcomes become ever less convincing. There is consequently little sense in disseminating yet more normative reform proposals or demonstrating how an ideal European Financial Framework should look and what priorities it should be used to fund. Instead, the current MFF talks will adapt to political realities and seek change primarily through pragmatic priority-shifting within the central spending priorities. So discussions about a new legal basis for the central spending policies must be closely linked to the MFF talks. A series of many small steps can incrementally realign European spending policies for new objectives and priorities. (author'sc abstract)... view less
Keywords
EU; political negotiation; budgetary policy; fiscal policy; EU policy; funding policy; EU Treaty
Classification
European Politics
Economic Policy
Document language
English
Publication Year
2012
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
22 p.
Series
SWP Research Paper, 14/2012
ISSN
1863-1053
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications