ECR Bureau meeting in Riga; The 2027 draft budget

ECR Bureau meeting in Riga

From Wednesday to Friday, ECR MEPs will gather in Riga, Latvia for an external Bureau meeting. This important meeting will bring together European conservatives and centre-right leaders to reflect on the role and priorities of conservative forces within the European Union. The programme will feature a series of panel discussions focused on Europe’s evolving security environment, with particular attention to the role of civil protection and societal resilience. Participants will also examine the growing challenge of cognitive warfare, recognising that modern conflicts are increasingly fought not only with conventional weapons but also through information and influence operations. In addition, discussions will address military mobility within the EU, including the ongoing negotiations surrounding the European Parliament’s report on this key strategic issue.The discussions will feature contributions from MEPs, security experts, academics, and military professionals, providing a range of perspectives on Europe’s evolving security challenges. Link to the event website here.

When: Tuesday–Friday

Where: Riga, Latvia

The 2027 draft budget

On Wednesday, the Committee on Budgets will begin its examination of the EU’s 2027 Draft Budget, as Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin presents the Commission’s proposal to MEPs. The presentation formally launches the annual budgetary procedure and marks the start of negotiations between Parliament and the Council on the EU’s final budget for 2027. As the final annual budget under the current 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, the 2027 budget will play an important role in determining how the EU responds to ongoing challenges, including security, economic competitiveness, migration and support for Ukraine. Following Parliament’s adoption of its budgetary priorities earlier this year, negotiations are expected to intensify in the months ahead. For the ECR Group, the 2027 budget should reflect the realities facing Europe today. There should be a more pragmatic approach to EU spending, focused on supporting businesses, safeguarding jobs, ensuring affordable energy and strengthening Europe’s agricultural sector, rather than pursuing policies that place additional burdens on citizens and the economy.

When: Wednesday @ 13:30

Where: SPAAK 5B001