The European Parliament adopted the Commission's budget proposal with criticism. MEP Sven Mikser said the realism of the budget proposal must be assessed critically. It is much larger than the current budget. It supports defense, innovation, and Europe's competitiveness, but large numbers also need to be financed.
Much debate is caused by the plan to merge agricultural subsidies and the cohesion fund. Several Estonian MEPs said subsidies should not go only to French farmers. MEP Jaak Madison said this is not fair competition. If subsidies are reduced, Estonian farmers will lose.
MEP Urmas Paet says changes to the budget are necessary. He believes agricultural subsidies are too large a part of EU spending. We live in the 21st century.
The Commission is looking for new sources of revenue. Most Estonian MEPs think this is unrealistic. Madison is against it. He fears that next could be VAT or personal income tax in the EU budget.
The budget proposal supports the defense industry, Europe's eastern border, Ukraine, and the creation of connections. But a two-year political struggle could change everything. Estonia must stand up for its interests, says MEP Jüri Ratas. For him, the construction of Rail Baltica and Estlink-3 is important.
MEPs agree that a dispute is coming. Paet says this fight is bigger than ever before.