The European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) committee on 24 June 2026 debated two key security and justice programmes: the Pericles 5 programme for euro protection (2028-2034) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF) regulation, revealing divergences on scope, budget, and governance.
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 the 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. The debate exposed a cleavage between those seeking to broaden the programme's remit and those prioritising focus and budgetary realism.
On the ISF, rapporteur Assita Kanko (ECR) presented a draft report adding a fundamental rights article, a 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. The debate highlighted tensions between expanding the fund's scope to address emerging threats and maintaining respect for fundamental rights and national competences.
amendments for Pericles 5 are due 30 June; ISF amendments have already been tabled. The discussions will shape the final texts, affecting law enforcement, central banks, Europol, Eurojust, member states, and victims of crime.