Poland’s Piotr Serafin is set to assume the role of EU Commissioner for Budget on December 1. This appointment arrives at a critical juncture as Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, prepares to draft the EU budget for the period of 2028-2034. Recent analyses, particularly from the Polish media outlet Rzeczpospolita, indicate that von der Leyen aims to initiate significant changes to the EU’s regional policies, which may have considerable implications for Poland. Currently, a substantial portion of EU structural funds is managed at the regional level, but the proposed reforms suggest a shift to a system where funds would be funneled through member state governments, granting them discretion over resource allocation. This move is viewed as a centralization of power that aligns with the Commission’s broader strategy to exert greater control from Brussels.
Under von der Leyen’s proposal, the existing 530 programs, which include 398 related to cohesion policy, would be reduced to just 27 national operational programs. These would encompass various expenditures traditionally categorized under cohesion and agricultural policies, including farm subsidies. The national operational programs would be organized into specific sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, and migration, all promoted under the guise of simplification. The concept of “flexibility” is also being introduced, with plans for an annual review of the multiannual budget. This new framework allows for the reallocation of funds from one sector to another, indicating a potential departure from the previous practices of rigid budget allocations.
Concerns about the implications of these proposed changes are robust, especially regarding the future of regional policy in the EU. Observers fear that the shift toward centralization could empower Brussels’ liberal elite, particularly when the political alignment between central and local governments diverges. In a scenario where a conservative party like Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) could control the central government, the distribution of funds might favor areas governed by allied parties while penalizing others. This power dynamic could lead to scenarios wherein Brussels could leverage funding to influence domestic policies, potentially curtailing resources for regions that resist compliance with EU directives, thereby undermining regional autonomy.
The crux of the matter also pertains to the new funding mechanisms, which might hinge upon central governmental reforms, irrespective of the local context. Such a requirement could complicate efforts for local authorities, which have traditionally relied on EU funds to address their specific needs and investment priorities. The European Union has historically championed a regional development policy aimed at narrowing the developmental gaps between regions. This framework utilized clear methodologies and criteria for funding allocation, enabling local authorities to participate in crafting operational programs and ensuring visibility of EU investments at the community level. The proposed transformation is perceived as a pivot toward a transactional funding model that undermines this principle.
Local leaders, such as Hanna Zdanowska, the Mayor of Łódź, have voiced strong opposition to the potential centralization of cohesion policy, asserting the need for accessible funding that responds directly to local requirements. Zdanowska’s comments highlight the pressing need for resource availability that meets municipalities’ and counties’ needs as they navigate the ongoing global political crisis. The fear is that centralization, particularly in times when local governments require autonomy and resources, could lead to oversight that stymies regional development and innovation.
Moreover, Serafin’s role as budget commissioner may be restricted by von der Leyen’s strategic focus, emphasizing her direct oversight of the budget proposals alongside the secretary-general of the European Commission, who reports exclusively to her. The establishment of a steering committee would further subordinate the decision-making power of budget commissioners like Serafin to von der Leyen’s agenda. This orchestration may foster discord among various member states, particularly those with strong regional identities, including Poland, Germany, Romania, and Belgium. The implications of such a paradigm shift are profound, as it not only threatens the existing regional funding structure but could also provoke pushback from various stakeholders, including Members of the European Parliament, leading to potentially contentious negotiations in the coming months.