MFR • Table.Briefings

Auch das Dampfen in Außenbereichen wollte die Resolution unterbinden.

May 18th, 2026

Tobacco tax: Sweden criticizes tax rates for tobacco pouches

Council negotiations on tobacco taxes are entering the final stretch. Indexation remains the most contentious issue, while two opposing camps have emerged over tax rates.

By Markus Grabitz

News | MFR

May 15th, 2026

MFF: Merz criticizes Commission proposal

In his laudatory speech for Mario Draghi at the Charlemagne Prize award ceremony, Friedrich Merz expressed fundamental criticism of the Commission’s proposal for the MFF. Negotiations on the MFF for 2028–2034 will begin shortly.

By Markus Grabitz

Viele Euro-Geldscheine liegen übereinander.

News | MFR

May 14th, 2026

EU funds: Germany and other countries call for stricter sanctions on violations of the rule of law

Germany and five other member states are calling for stricter rules governing the disbursement of EU funds under the new multiannual financial framework. They oppose planned exemptions for frozen EU funds and are pushing for stricter rules regarding sanctions against member states.

By Corinna Visser

News | EU budget

April 29th, 2026

MFF: Parliament calls for a larger EU budget

The European Parliament has adopted its position on the EU’s long-term budget. MEPs are facing sharp criticism from the member states.

By Till Hoppe

Emmanuel Macron i Zypern beim EU-Gipfel Mitte März 2026, mit dem zypriotischen Präsidenten Nikos Christodoulides

Talk of the Town | MFR

April 28th, 2026

MFF: Why the EU might delay repayment of debts from the COVID-19 recovery fund

Delaying the repayment of debts from the NextGenerationEU fund could provide some leeway for bridging political divides in the MFF negotiations. So far, however, the European Parliament has been fully committed to new own resources.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Hungary

April 27th, 2026

Frozen EU funds: Magyar travels to Brussels

Péter Magyar will meet with the European Commission president next Wednesday to discuss frozen EU funds for Hungary.

By Redaktion Table

Feature | European Council

April 27th, 2026

How Emmanuel Macron is pushing ahead with the mutual assistance clause

The European Union is dragging its feet on Ukraine, remains divided over the mutual assistance clause, Article 42(7), and is waiting for a signal from France in the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). At the informal EU summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also surprised participants with an offer to Tehran.

By Stephan Israel

Carla Tavares und Siegfried Muresan umarmen sich

News | MFR

April 16th, 2026

MFF: Budget committee agrees on a modest budget increase

The European Parliament’s budget committee wants to increase the multiannual financial framework to 1.27% of gross national income. However, their bargaining power vis-à-vis the member states is limited.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

News | EU budget

April 10th, 2026

MFF: European Parliament calls for tax on digital giants

MEPs want to make tech companies, online gambling operators, and crypto investors foot the bill to generate own resources for the EU budget. But resistance is mounting.

By Till Hoppe

Budgetgeneraldirektorin Stéphanie Riso warnt vor großen Finanzierungslücken im EU-Haushalt.

News | MFR

April 9th, 2026

MFF: Corporate tax faces widespread opposition in the Council

The European Commission wants to impose additional burdens on large companies to close the funding gaps in the future financial framework. However, the proposal has not gained support among the member states.

By Till Hoppe