Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto has confirmed that the European Commission will promote the integration of good governance principles into post-2027 cohesion policy, in a written answer to a parliamentary question from MEPs Pasquale Tridico (The Left) and Brando Benifei (S&D). The answer, published on 13 July 2026, signals that administrative capacity and governance quality will be central to the proposed National and Regional Partnership Fund, which includes a specific objective on enhancing public administration efficiency. Fitto also outlined that reforms incentivised through the fund will include governance-enhancing measures, with payments tied to fulfilled milestones and targets. Member States are encouraged to use technical assistance to strengthen administrative capacity, and the Commission will support EU-wide networks for exchanging good practices.
The answer, however, remains largely declarative, referencing the legislative proposal without providing new numerical targets or deadlines. The question had cited the Council of Europe's 12 principles of good democratic governance and noted the impact of governance quality on fund absorption, particularly in less developed regions. Fitto's response aligns with the Commission's broader push for administrative reform but leaves concrete mechanisms to the legislative process. The proposal for the National and Regional Partnership Fund, published in 2025, will now be negotiated by the European Parliament and Council, where the integration of governance principles may face scrutiny over implementation details and reward mechanisms.