MFR • Table.Briefings

April 29th, 2026

MFF: Parliament calls for a larger EU budget

The European Parliament has adopted its position on the EU’s long-term budget. MEPs are facing sharp criticism from the member states.

By Till Hoppe

Emmanuel Macron i Zypern beim EU-Gipfel Mitte März 2026, mit dem zypriotischen Präsidenten Nikos Christodoulides

Talk of the Town | MFR

April 28th, 2026

MFF: Why the EU might delay repayment of debts from the COVID-19 recovery fund

Delaying the repayment of debts from the NextGenerationEU fund could provide some leeway for bridging political divides in the MFF negotiations. So far, however, the European Parliament has been fully committed to new own resources.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Feature | European Council

April 27th, 2026

How Emmanuel Macron is pushing ahead with the mutual assistance clause

The European Union is dragging its feet on Ukraine, remains divided over the mutual assistance clause, Article 42(7), and is waiting for a signal from France in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). At the informal EU summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also surprised participants with an offer to Tehran.

By Stephan Israel

News | Hungary

April 27th, 2026

Frozen EU funds: Magyar travels to Brussels

Péter Magyar will meet with the European Commission president next Wednesday to discuss frozen EU funds for Hungary.

By Redaktion Table

Carla Tavares und Siegfried Muresan umarmen sich

News | MFR

April 16th, 2026

MFF: Budget committee agrees on a modest budget increase

The European Parliament’s budget committee wants to increase the multiannual financial framework to 1.27% of gross national income. However, their bargaining power vis-à-vis the member states is limited.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | EU budget

April 10th, 2026

MFF: European Parliament calls for tax on digital giants

MEPs want to make tech companies, online gambling operators, and crypto investors foot the bill to generate own resources for the EU budget. But resistance is mounting.

By Till Hoppe

Budgetgeneraldirektorin Stéphanie Riso warnt vor großen Finanzierungslücken im EU-Haushalt.

News | MFR

April 9th, 2026

MFF: Corporate tax faces widespread opposition in the Council

The European Commission wants to impose additional burdens on large companies to close the funding gaps in the future financial framework. However, the proposal has not gained support among the member states.

By Till Hoppe

Chloé Ridel (S&D) und Hildegard Bentele (EVP)

News | Global Gateway

March 27th, 2026

Global Gateway: European Parliament calls for reform

A report by the European Parliament calls for reforming the governance structures of the Global Gateway Initiative and improving access for private investors. It states that faster decision-making is needed so that the initiative can serve as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

By Stephan Israel, Amelie Richter and Arne Schütte

News | Global Gateway

March 26th, 2026

Global Gateway: European Parliament calls for reform of Europe’s response to the BRI

The governance structures of the Global Gateway initiative should be reformed and access for private investors improved, according to a European Parliament report. Faster decision-making is needed if the initiative is to serve as a credible alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

By Stephan Israel and Amelie Richter

News | Global Gateway

March 26th, 2026

Global Gateway: Why the governance structure of Europe’s response to China’s Belt and Road initiative needs to be reformed

A report by the European Parliament is making a call to reform the governance structures of the Global Gateway initiative and to improve access for private investors. According to the report, faster decision-making is needed in order for the scheme to serve as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road initiative.

By Stephan Israel