The European Parliament's ITRE and TRAN committees on 3 June 2026 debated the proposed Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for 2028-2034, revealing divisions over budget allocation, project eligibility, and the balance between transport, energy, and digital infrastructure. EPP rapporteur Massimiliano Salini stressed the need for increased funding to meet climate goals and support cross-border projects, particularly in rail and renewable energy. S&D shadow rapporteur Tsvetelina Penkova pushed for stronger social conditionality and a higher share for sustainable mobility. Renew Europe's Dominique Riquet questioned the proposed 30% cut to the transport envelope, arguing it would undermine TEN-T completion. Greens-EFA MEP Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg called for excluding fossil fuel projects entirely, while ECR's Evžen Tošenovský warned against overregulation that could deter private investment. The Left's Marisa Matias demanded ring-fenced funds for peripheral regions. Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas defended the proposal as balanced, noting synergies between sectors.
Stakeholder impact National infrastructure agencies face uncertainty over budget levels, with a potential 30% cut to transport funding threatening project pipelines. Rail operators stand to benefit from increased cross-border rail funding if the EPP's push succeeds, but may face delays if the budget is reduced. Energy grid developers could gain from stronger synergies between sectors, as highlighted by the Commissioner. Digital connectivity providers may see expanded opportunities if the digital envelope is maintained or increased. The debate also exposed a trade-off between climate ambition and infrastructure completion: stricter fossil fuel exclusion (Greens/EFA) could accelerate decarbonisation but risk delaying TEN-T projects reliant on transitional fuels, while a more permissive approach (ECR) might attract private investment but slow the green transition.
Next steps Amendments are due by 20 June, with a committee vote scheduled for September. The final CEF regulation will shape EU infrastructure spending for 2028-2034, affecting transport, energy, and digital networks across member states.