The European Union has reached an agreement on its 2016 budget. After marathon discussions which lasted into the wee hours of Saturday morning, the European Parliament and the 28 EU member states finally struck a deal on the bloc‘s spending plans for next year, paving the way for a record 155 billion euros ($166.9 billion) in commitments and 143.8 billion euros in payments.
Every year, the parliament and EU governments debate the spending amounts proposed by the European Commission — the bloc’s executive arm — for the following year. The outcome of such discussions is unpredictable, but the process is well-known: EU governments, collectively represented by country ministers at the European Council, seek to limit the bloc’s expenses, while parliamentarians push for more generous spending.
But with the worst refugee crisis since World War II showing no signs of abating, and a series of fragile states — including Yemen and Burundi — on the brink of humanitarian disaster, the circumstances of this year’s EU budget negotiations were exceptional by all standards. Meanwhile, the absence of any political solution to the deepening Syrian crisis leaves the EU with no better option than to continue ramping up aid.
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Manola De Vos
Manola De Vos is an Engagement Lead for Devex’s Analytics team in Manila. She leads and designs customized research and analysis for some of the world’s most well-respected organizations, providing the solutions and data they need to grow their partner base, work more efficiently, and drive lasting results. Prior to joining Devex, Manola worked in conflict analysis and political affairs for the United Nations, International Crisis Group and the EU.
