“For me, it is clear that the Commission and Parliament must stand united when it comes to something as fundamental as the EU budget,” Weber said, striking a conciliatory tone. “Today, I am confident that we will find a solution.”
Center-left Socialists and Democrats chief Iratxe García warned the Commission of the consequences of ignoring Parliament’s demands.
“Together with the other pro-European groups, we are ready to reject the national plans in the next MFF,” she warned before the meeting. Renewed skilling of workers, protecting people from economic shocks and bringing down house prices all need to be addressed to win her party’s support, she said.
Commission in tight spot
Despite the lack of a concrete offer to lawmakers, the Commission is well aware of the Parliament’s demands and understands the sense of urgency, Mureșan said.
“We feel a proposal by their side which satisfies the Parliament is needed over the course of the next days,” he said, adding that it’s a “matter of political will” by the executive to correct its proposals.
“We have been listening, and we are aware that there are three areas of concern for the Parliament and on these, we will constructively engage with them,” a Commission official told POLITICO.