Parliament votes to support environment, biodiversity & big tech tax

Today, MEPs have just voted through the Parliament’s position on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for the year 2028 to 2034. This vote sets the Parliament’s mandate for negotiations, setting the Parliament’s position on overall size, the size of the programme envelopes and structure of the MFF. 

Rasmus Nordqvist MEP, Greens/EFA Group shadow Rapporteur for the MFF, comments:

“The Parliament’s position on the MFF is strong, forward looking and designed to deliver for people and the planet in a changing world. We welcome that the four main groups have come together to make the EU’s long term budget fit for the future. Thanks to the efforts of our group we have secured funding for actions under the LIFE programme, guaranteeing billions to support stronger environmental protection and dedicated financing for biodiversity. 

“We are pushing for an EU that leads the ecological transition, the protection of biodiversity and natural resources like water to build a truly sustainable future. It not only goes hand in hand but is an integral part of competitiveness. We welcome that the MFF contains support to continue vital EU programmes that matter to citizens such as Erasmus Plus, Horizon and support for civil society. The increase in the Global Europe fund demonstrates the EU’s commitment to our global responsibilities and the promotion of democratic values across the globe and our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“The European Parliament is listening to people’s concerns about rising living costs and skyrocketing energy prices. Together, we are ensuring that projects for employment, equality, and education continue to be funded, as well as for affordable housing all of which need to be primarily financed from Member States’ budgets though.

“The ambitions of the MFF must be met with required revenues. The Parliament will only approve a long-term budget that includes sustainable revenue, which is fit for purpose in an ever changing world. The EU can support the needs of people, while holding major corporations to account through tools like a digital services tax for big tech and windfall tax on energy profits for the energy companies.”