Strasbourg, France, April 30, 2026 (Lusa) – Portugal’s Socialist Party (PS) MEP Carla Tavares told Lusa in an interview that the country might need to prepare for a reduction in European Union (EU) funds under the proposed community budget. "We share the concerns of Portugal's government that there may be a decrease in cohesion policy [the EU strategy to reduce regional wealth gaps] and national and regional plans compared to the current framework," said Tavares. The MEP was co-rapporteur for the interim report on the European Parliament's negotiating position for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) — the EU’s long-term budget — which MPs approved on Tuesday. She said the European Commission's proposal included a significant reduction, as funding allocation drops from over 60% to over 40%. The European Parliament increased the cohesion area in its proposal, nearing current financial framework levels, she said.

However, the distribution among member states "may lead to Portugal needing to prepare for a reduction in these areas, which we hope does not happen, and we are here as a parliament to do our work for cohesion countries," she explained.

Tavares said the process was in its early stages and would move to country-by-country negotiations. The European Parliament received the European Commission's proposal and decided to propose an overall increase in the financial framework across three main areas, she explained. She said the interim report "is very much in line with the concerns in Portugal," particularly regarding continued investment in "European DNA" (the core values of solidarity and cohesion). The parliament approved on Tuesday its negotiating position for the 2028-2034 EU budget, demanding a €200 billion increase at current prices over the European Commission's proposal.

In a report approved by 370 votes to 201, with 74 abstentions, during a plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs defined their position to negotiate the main values and structure of the MFF for 2028-2034 with member states.

Cyprus, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, should present its negotiating package by June for discussion at the European Council later that month.

Co-legislators (MEPs and member states) will work on technical documents and negotiations until November to reach an agreement by the end of the year, according to the parliament’s goals.

MES/LYT // AYLS

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