SECOND PROPOSED BUDGET OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR 2023-2024

BrumBrum

You arguments here a just patently false. It is anti-European to vote for massive slashing of the new allocation to the EDA and I understand it is cumulative. If funds are not being spent presently the answer is not massively slash the funds but to ask why you are not getting more applications or funding is not going through. I suggest that this is maybe due to the centralised nature of decision making that can change in focus depending on commissioners in power and an over dependence on three offices but if this cut goes into effect and reforms elsewhere are achieved that cut will hamstring the EDA's ability to actually help the European people.

It is true you haven't voted against budgets but it is not inherently bad to voe against bad budgets that harm the European people which is precisely who we are here to protect.How could I go back to my constituents and say I voted for less funding vital development projects, vital green projects in their communities and vital projects for the sustainability of their communities. This is why I vote against cuts , I want an EU of ambition that is central to the lives of all Europeans. It is frankly embarrassing when ECON, Telum , Euro 3 and EECO are all achieving more and doing more for citizens of European countries than the EU which in theory should be the most important. We will not achieve this by budget cuts and voting against any cooperation between European nations as you and your government have done. We'd actually be better off out of the EU in some respects and using the funding saved to self fund our projects but we want to be in the EU to solve our common challenges together and redistribute our resources around the Union . At the moment that system is not working due to certain groups actively working against the interests of the European people.

James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillour for United Duchies

Istkalen

We must fund the Union, and we must do it now. Istkalen thus fully supports this budget.

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

Spain

Cllr. Mizrachi-Roscoe, it is not anti-European to slash the European Development Agency's budget if they have funds left and the new sum is enough. Money is being invested there and not being spent, so we invest less and destiny all those funds to other initiatives that also need the money. It is redistributing what we spend, nothing further than that. And by the way, you come here hugging the European values because of convenience, not because of true beliefs. We have seen you defend quite the opposite in this Chamber, and to be honest, no one can actually believe your arguments anymore.

Going on, the thing about the first proposed budget is that it was not a bad budget, it was a great budget. The work made by the Commission was perfect, and only your personal and political interest, alongside swaying other votes with, I guess, fake promises and who knows what more, shot it down. By the way, Councillor: what do we have to see with political alliances? They are not European Union agencies, institutions or whatsoever, they are private alliances between member states. Their advances or benefits are irrelevant to us, we are not their legislators and surely, we cannot act at their compass. If someone is not in an alliance with certain policies, I wonder why they would want those policies in Europe when it is possible to have them without damaging others. Yet, you do not understand this.

Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain

BrumBrum

We don't know if it will be enough but what we do know is it sets a precedent that it is okay to cut the allocation for the EDA . That is a precedent I am not interested in starting , no agency should have their allocation cut as it sets a precedent its okay to cut the allocation while revenues are stable or growing. It is anti-european to cut allocations so significantly for agencies and it is that simple. I will always oppose the slashing of budgets. If anything we need to be spending more of the budget by setting up systems to more efficiently run the application processes to get more applications and we need expand the areas EU agencies can spend money on to make the EU actually significant in peoples lives, not just a good idea with unrealised potential.Are you on the side of the EU or against it and supporting cuts in allocations setting a precedent for future cuts in fundings.

I also find it funny you now say the EU being outspent is not an issue when an agency called the European Green Fund was set up and has given out 10's of billions in loans and grants was set up because the EU refused Duchian government money it was seen as undermining the EU. So which is it? Or is it whatever argument is convenient at the time?

James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies

Spain

Debate is now over. My apologies for the severe delay. It is time to vote on the proposed amendments. There are TWO amendments up to vote:

Amendment I - Proposed by Speaker Tusk
European Development Agency: ~~47,600,000,000.00€~~ 25,000,000,000.00€

Amendment II - Proposed by Speaker Tusk
European Space Administration: ~~000,000,000.01€~~ 30,000,000.00€

Voting on amendments will commence NOW and will last until 18:09 GMT on April 1st, 2024.

I vote FOR all amendments.

Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain

Istkalen

I vote AGAINST both amendments.

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

Czech Slavia

I vote AGAINST Amendment I and FOR Amendment II.

Sofie Čikarová
Councilor for Czech Slavia

Istkalen

May we move to final voting?

Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen

Spain

My excuses for the delay. Voting on the amendments has concluded. The voting results are the following:

With 1 vote FOR and 2 votes AGAINST, Amendment I has FAILED.
With 2 votes FOR and 1 vote AGAINST, Amendment II has PASSED.

The proposal has been updated accordingly.

Final voting begins NOW and will last until 09:46 GMT on July 25th, 2024.

On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote FOR this Budget.

Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain

UK and California

On behalf of the United Kingdom, I vote for the budget.

Caroline Lucas

BrumBrum

On behalf of United Duchies I vote FOR this budget
Skye Hook , Deputy Councillour for United Duchies