The European Parliament's Committee on Budgets examined the Commission's 2027 draft budget on 10 June 2026, exposing divisions over its size, debt service costs, and flagship programme protection. Commissioner Piotr Serafin presented a nearly EUR 200 billion commitment and EUR 212 billion payment draft, framed as a stability budget focused on legal obligations in the final MFF year. Nils Ušakovs (S&D) argued the 3.5% commitment rise was too weak, while Moritz Körner (Renew) noted only EUR 477 million in margins, highlighting the budget's tight constraints.
Ušakovs also raised concerns over debt service costs crowding out programmes, pointing to URI costs of EUR 9.9 billion. Serafin linked higher costs to inflation and geopolitical risks. On Ukraine support financing, Ušakovs challenged using budgetary availabilities for EUR 1.15 billion in debt service; Serafin cited MFF rules requiring exhaustion of availabilities before using the Ukraine loan instrument. Protecting flagship programmes like Erasmus+ saw I. Benjumea Benjumea (EPP) and Körner defending them, while Serafin noted a EUR 165 million increase for Erasmus+. Security and migration spending was pushed by Beata Szydło (ECR) and Tamás Deutsch (PfE), with Serafin presenting higher Heading 4 and 5 allocations. Janusz Lewandowski (EPP) warned of severe pressure under Heading 7, with Serafin citing 2% inflation assumptions and stable staffing. Predictability via amending budgets was sought by Ušakovs, while Tomasz Buczek (PfE) criticized opacity. Rasmus Andresen (Greens/EFA) questioned missing biodiversity goals; Serafin acknowledged the 7.5% target would not be met. Consensus existed on the budget's constraints, support for Ukraine, security priorities, and the need for a strong EP position before Council negotiations. Next steps: Council position, first trilogue on 16 July, amending letter in October, conciliation from 27 October.