EU’s Michel revises recovery plan to address concerns
European Council President Charles Michel presented on Friday a revised proposal that includes a minor reduction to the European Union’s (EU) seven-year budget in a bid to secure the green light for his fresh wide-ranging plan to revive the European economy.
The aim of the reduction, from 1.1 trillion euros (1.24 trillion U.S. dollars) to 1.074 trillion, is to try to appease the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Austria, which were harsh in their criticism of the previous package.
A document obtained by Xinhua said the new proposal was made “on the basis of extensive consultations” held between Michel and the heads of state and government of the member states, and it “presents a balanced solution catering for the interests and positions of all member states.”
A week before EU leaders gather for their first physical meeting since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Michel told a press conference on Friday that he was “optimistic” that they will accept the new package.
The package he presented combines the seven-year budget — formally known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) — and a coronavirus pandemic recovery plan, set at 750 billion euros to be allocated as grants and loans to the affected countries and sectors.
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Presenting his new package, Michel said the goals of recovery can be summarised in three words: convergence, resilience and transformation. Through this plan, which he described as a one-off tool for an exceptional situation, he said he hoped Europe can repair the damage caused by COVID-19, reform economies and remodel societies.
Michel confirmed that countries with long-held rebates on their European contributions would continue to get them. These countries are Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden.
He said the EU member states will be given more power on how the recovery fund would be distributed, giving member states’ capitals more power over the spending plans of their neighbors.
He proposed to preserve the balance between loans, guarantees and grants to avoid over-burdening member states with high levels of debt.
Read alsoFidesz MEP: EC proposal for budget, recovery fund unacceptable for Hungary
Addressing concerns over repayment at the beginning of the next budget cycle and the lack of own resources that would finance reimbursement, Michel said he was proposing that repayments would start earlier in 2026, two years ahead of what was originally planned.
In June, EU leaders criticized the original package and the European Parliament made a strong case on Wednesday for an improved plan that can help European economies not only survive the current crisis but emerge strengthened and ready to face the challenges of the next years.
Source: Xinhua
So the European Council President, Charles Michel, has – after ‘extensive consultations’ – ‘revised’ the ‘European coronavirus recovery plan’ by :
1. ensuring that Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden continue to receive ‘rebates’ on their contributions to the E.U. (how RIDICULOUS and GROSSLY UNFAIR !) ;
2. maintaining ‘the balance between loans [i.e. monies which must be REPAID] and grants [i.e. FREE MONEY – for France / Greece / Italy / Portugal / Spain]’ so that those countries receiving the ‘freebies’ can ‘sponge off’ the rest of Europe for another ten years ;
3. a ‘minor reduction’ to the seven year budget (guess who’s going to get less money – the V4 nations !).
No mention has been made by him of the numerous ‘conditions’ that are attached to E.U. nations receiving money via this plan (which are only briefly outlined in pages of legal ‘gobble-de-gook’ written by the same devious legal ‘experts’ that have been trying to ‘crucify’ Hungary for years).
He then unilaterally announces that he is ‘optimistic’ it will be passed by E.U. leaders next week.
This is nothing but a giant CON put forward by a fast-talking CONMAN who listens to no-one except his ‘puppet-masters’ (Macron and Merkel, who are only concerned with saving their own political lives) and the ‘Pink Poodles’ (= poofie-woofie bureaucrats) of Brussels, who have never been elected at all !
As such, it should be REJECTED by Hungary and all other E.U. nations wanting ‘fairness’ in any such major E.U. decision.