During the plenary session pf the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate the post-2020 budget revision and economic recovery package plans with Commission and Council. They will vote on a resolution, to ensure that the new MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework) proposal to be tabled by the Commission turns the EU budget into an efficient tool for restarting the EU economy.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

WEBER, Manfred (EPP, DE)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

own resources (T)

CIOLOŞ, Dacian (Renew, RO)

Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

New MFF, own resources and recovery plan: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/5985941/I191141Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Speaking about the architecture of this new mechanism, for us as EPP, the key element is for is to fight for a Democratic budget. A budget decided by the people represented here in this chamber, a budget based on solidarity among people and nations in the European Union. A budget that is honest with the people. And a budget that cares for the people.  &lt;We want to have our sovereignty back&gt; it was one of the main messages in the Brexit campaign. I tell you, this 'successful' message reflected on the problem that people don't feel involved in European decision making process. And that's why it's so important that not Brussels decides about the recovery fund, a kind an external power decides. No ! My MEP decides about the future of the European Union, about the recovery program.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), A major reconstruction and recovery plan with finance fund linked to the Multiannual Financial Framework. Now the ball is in Commissionʼs court and we call on Commission to be ambitious and bold. A joint resolution will be adopted tomorrow, sending out very strong messages. Firstly, a message of unity. The Parliament is able to overcome ideological differences and national differences in order to work for the common good. So the recovery fund must be part of the MFF and subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Therefore, it's essential that Parliament be on an equal footing with Council.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Dacian CIOLO&#350; (RE, RO), After this crisis it won't be enough just to rebuild the economy at places we will need to profoundly to rebuild and mobilize new resources and technology. We shouldn't go back to the 20th century economy, but we should lay new foundations. We should pay attention to the environment, digitalisation and strategic sectors. Including healthcare. This will be the core of rebuilding the economy we need. It's our duty to put forward a rescue plan for millions of citizens who have lost or are losing their jobs. And for the hundreds of thousands of companies experiencing difficulties, for business people, for our overloaded healthcare systems and crisis strupp sectors such as tourism, transport or farming.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS, The reality is that if we look at what's happening and the action taken by Heads of State and Government and when they have to put into practice this solidarity at the financial level, they're actually hesitating. Simply hiding behind in each for their own reasoning. Now, since 10 years, some put the ideea of solidairy in moralizing terms, as this idea of Europe has been divided into different camps. The good, virtuous countries and the faulty countries on the other. Now, of course, the Greek, Italian, Spanish governments haven't always been irerproachable. But the Dutch governments themselves were waging some kind of fiscal war in Europe.

And it's the German government that defended the car industry that was cheating left, right and centre. And Scandinavian authorities and super banking supervisor, where toe ones that were allowing money laundering networks to blossom.  At the same time Greece, Italy and Spain were actually welcoming more than their fair share of migrants coming, saving  Europe's honour without any doubt. Obviously within Europe, all the member states are having things that they can regret and all member states are bringing something to our common prosperity.