Fact Check: "The EU budget for 2021-2027 is approximately €1.2 trillion."
What We Know
The claim that the EU budget for the period 2021-2027 is approximately €1.2 trillion is based on the European Union's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF is a long-term budget plan that outlines the EU's spending priorities and limits for a seven-year period. According to the official EU documents, the total budget for the MFF 2021-2027 is set at €1.074 trillion, which translates to about €1.1 trillion when considering the current financial framework and commitments, but it can reach approximately €1.2 trillion when including additional funds from the Next Generation EU recovery plan (European Commission).
Analysis
The figure of €1.2 trillion may arise from a combination of the MFF and the Next Generation EU fund, which was established to aid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Next Generation EU fund adds an additional €750 billion to the EU budget, which, when combined with the MFF, brings the total to around €1.8 trillion. However, the MFF alone is officially stated as €1.074 trillion, and thus the claim lacks precision.
The sources of this information include official EU publications and statements from EU officials, which are generally reliable. However, the interpretation of the budget figures can vary based on context. For instance, some reports may aggregate various funding sources, leading to a higher figure than the MFF alone. Therefore, while the claim has some merit, it is essential to clarify that the MFF itself is not €1.2 trillion but rather €1.074 trillion, with additional funds potentially raising the total budget figure (European Parliament).
Conclusion
Verdict: Unverified
While the claim that the EU budget for 2021-2027 is approximately €1.2 trillion has some basis in the context of total EU funding, it is misleading if one considers only the MFF. The official MFF budget is €1.074 trillion, and while additional funds could bring the total closer to €1.2 trillion, this requires specific context and clarification. Thus, the claim cannot be fully substantiated without additional context regarding the sources of funding.
