Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU Parliament revised its funding schedule, paying €31 million to political groups in half-yearly instalments after the critical June 2024 elections.
The European Union’s vote this year reshuffled the deck, with some parties gaining seats in the chamber and others, such as the Greens and the Liberals in Renew Europe, failing them. Most of these funds are allocated proportionately to the number of MEPs in the group. According to Euronews, the budget distributed to the political groups for the second half of 2024 is €31 million.
What are the funding allocations for major EU groups?
The European People’s Party (EPP) welcomed more than €8 million, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) about €6 million and the Patriots for Europe €3.7 million. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Renew, the Greens/European Free Alliance and the Left (GUE/NGL) acquired nearly €3.5 million, €3.4 million, roughly €2.3 million and €2 million respectively. The Europe of Sovereign Nations group (ENS), which has just 25 MEPs, welcomed €1.17 million.
What does the EU budget cover for political groups?
The allocations in the European Parliament budget are delivered to the political groups on the basis of the following analysis: 97.5% are allocated in proportion to the number of MEPs and 2.5% are distributed equally. According to the European Parliament’s press service: “These appropriations are intended to cover administrative and operational expenses. The European Parliament’s budget is the only source of funding for the political groups and non-attached MEPs”.
How will Renew Europe use its EU funding share?
Renew Europe spokesperson said, “Our group will use these appropriations to finance expenditure on political and information activities carried out by members as part of the European Union’s political activities, as well as the secretariat’s administrative and operational expenditure.”
What are the Greens’ priorities for EU fund allocation?
The Greens expressed the funds allocated to it will support its mandate’s “political priorities”: the green transition, a more social Europe, and the fight for rights and democracy. “We usually use the funds allocated for events, administrative support and activities linked to the work of our MEPs in fulfilling their commitments to the electorate”, they described.
