EU auditor warns next long-term budget could be harder to scrutinise

Under the proposed approach described by ANP, part of the budget would be distributed along the lines of the EU’s Covid recovery fund. Countries would receive money after submitting plans to meet EU objectives, rather than having funding tied to costs. Court member Stef Blok said those objectives were too vague to check properly. He also saw a weakness in relying on member states to oversee the spending. The arrangements are still under discussion, not rules already in force. [1]

The Court also urged caution over further borrowing. According to ANP, it expects EU debt to reach about €1 trillion in 2027 and says interest on borrowing for the Covid recovery fund could total €93 billion across 2028–34. Both figures are projections, not amounts already incurred. [1]

The warning came as the Court presented its separate assessment of the EU’s 2025 annual budget. ANP reported that the Court issued a negative opinion for a seventh consecutive year, with its reported error rate rising from 3.6% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025. That assessment concerns past spending, not an audit of the proposed 2028–34 budget. [1]