The EU budget as an opportunity in the crisis: the EU Commission proposal for a new financial framework and a reconstruction fund

Abstract

In response to the socio-economic consequences of the corona pandemic, the Euro­pean Commission presented a comprehensive package of measures on 27 May 2020. It consists of two components. Firstly, the Commission’s original proposal of May 2018 for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021–2027 is to be increased to €1.8 trillion. Secondly, the Commission is proposing a temporary economic budget of €750 billion under the title "Next Generation EU". This far-reaching package, which the Commission drew up in just a few weeks, can have the effect of fundamentally reshaping European budgetary policy and redistributing competences and responsibilities between the EU and the member states. The result could be a significant deepening of European integration. (author's abstract)