The European Parliament's LIBE committee on 24 June 2026 debated two key security and anti-counterfeiting files: the Pericles 5 programme for euro protection (2028-2034) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) regulation. On Pericles 5, rapporteur Niels Geuking (via chair Lena Düpont, EPP) proposed amendments focusing on cash accessibility, AI threats, and a delegated act for work programmes. Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP) praised the programme's cooperation model. However, Birgit Sippel (S&D, reading for Sander Rutten) and Fabrice Leggeri (PfE) both questioned extending scope to money laundering given the limited €7 million budget. The Commission's Luca Pierini pushed back on delegated acts and money laundering inclusion, arguing it would defocus efforts. On ISF, rapporteur Assita Kanko (ECR) presented a draft report adding a fundamental rights article, hybrid threat definition, and victim support. Lena Düpont (EPP) stressed cross-border cooperation and critical infrastructure. Kristian Vigenin (S&D) called for inclusion of AI misuse, environmental crime, and stronger democratic scrutiny. Petra Steger (PfE, read by Leggeri) emphasised subsidiarity and the migration-security link. Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA) proposed excluding funding for pushback technologies and spyware. Next steps: amendments for Pericles 5 due 30 June; ISF amendments already tabled. The debate revealed a split between those seeking to expand the programmes' scope (S&D, Greens/EFA) and those favouring a focused approach (EPP, PfE, Commission). The Pericles 5 budget of €7 million is seen as insufficient for money laundering tasks, while ISF's broader scope raises concerns over subsidiarity and fundamental rights. Affected stakeholders include law enforcement, central banks, Europol, Eurojust, member states, and victims of crime.
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