Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, in a written answer on 3 July 2026, rejected allegations that Spain misappropriated EU post-COVID funds, stating that the Spanish Court of Auditors' observations on internal budgetary transfers pertain to domestic procedural requirements, not EU law. The answer, responding to a question from ESN MEP Alexander Jungbluth, clarifies that no RRF milestones or targets relate to pension expenditures, which are ineligible under the fund. Dombrovskis stressed that each payment request is thoroughly assessed before disbursement, and that the Commission sees no grounds for freezing funds, recovering payments, or launching infringement proceedings. The answer offers no new concrete measures, instead reiterating existing safeguards under the RRF Regulation. This leaves the ball in Spain's court for domestic accountability, while the Commission signals no intention to overhaul its monitoring mechanisms. The response may reassure EU taxpayers and member states concerned about fund misuse, but offers little to critics seeking stronger oversight.
Source✉ Open answer ↗
Asked byAlexander Jungbluth (ESN)