Today in Strasbourg, during the ongoing plenary session of the European Parliament, MEPs adopted a draft report on the budget guidelines for 2026. The PiS delegation in the European Parliament supported the document, noting that the text incorporated many ECR amendments, including those related to agriculture and security. During the discussion preceding the vote, ECR MEPs Bogdan Rzońca and Tobiasz Bocheński spoke.
Bogdan Rzońca emphasized that the document under discussion is significantly better than in previous years. “We take a realistic view of the European economy, and we can see a significant change here, which we are pleased about,” he added. The MEP also emphasized that he was pleased that the ECR’s amendments regarding agriculture had been adopted. “We always emphasize that we must support the Common Agricultural Policy and direct payments to young farmers, because this is simply our future,” — noted the ECR coordinator, pointing out that an important ECR proposal concerning small and medium-sized enterprises had also been included. “We support the Erasmus+ program because young people should have the opportunity to pursue an education. And, of course, we also support everything happening in the areas of transportation and energy; this aspect is simply included here. We also support infrastructure solutions,” the PiS MEP continued. The Polish politician also highlighted the inclusion in the draft budget of funding for border barriers, which the ECR Group had strongly advocated for.
“Above all, Europe must be safe,” he emphasized.
In addition, the MEP praised the recognition of housing-related challenges and their reflection in the budget. “And of course—although we do not support a common European army—all these provisions related to the defense mechanism and civil protection deserve our attention and support,” said Rzońca.
Tobiasz Bocheński highlighted the current challenges facing the EU: “A wind of change and threats is sweeping across the world. A war is raging on the European Union’s doorstep. We are all witnessing a technological revolution unfolding before our very eyes.” The Polish politician recalled Draghi’s famous report, which showed that the European Union’s economy requires fundamental changes. “And these changes must begin with reducing bureaucracy and deregulation,” he emphasized.
Bocheński stated that the guidelines for the 2026 budget and what the rapporteur presented “deserve attention because they highlight changes.” But, as he noted, they also have shortcomings worth mentioning. “There is no radical departure from the harmful Green Deal policy, which is destroying our economy and making us uncompetitive against the United States and China,” — Bocheński emphasized, pointing out that “this requires more in-depth consideration and more substantial adjustments than those that have been proposed.”
