In Galway, Ireland, I took part in the EPP Group Summer University, alongside colleagues from across Europe, to analyse and debate Europe’s future. We debated transatlantic relations, security and defence, the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Europe’s competitiveness, the global economy and the investments needed to strengthen Europe’s position in an increasingly competitive world. The @EPPGroup continues to shape Europe’s response to today’s key challenges, from security and defence to economic growth, agriculture and cohesion.

The pro-European centre-right PNL party in #Romania has unanimously decided yesterday not to support the investiture of the so called technocratic government. Similar positions are expected from the other pro-European parties within @EPPGroup and @RenewEurope. This leaves the designated Prime Minister facing uncertain parliamentary support ahead of the confidence vote. Should the government fail to secure Parliament’s backing, the President is expected to nominate another Prime Minister. Meanwhile Ilie @Bolojan continues as caretaker Prime Minister.

We reject the Council’s proposal, which is simply not fit for today’s realities. It does not reflect the needs of Europe’s people nor the position of the European Parliament, as the Union’s democratic and budgetary institution. The Council's proposal sends entirely the wrong signal. By cutting the Commission's proposal overall by 2%, it effectively suggests that Europe's challenges require less action, not more. This is particularly concerning given that the Commission had already reduced Heading 1, which finances farmers and cohesion, from around 60% to 45% of the MFF. Cutting it further sends a message to farmers, regions, and citizens that food security, cohesion, border management, and support for local communities matter less than the challenges they are meant to address. At the same time, when it comes to security, defence and competitivness, we cannot make Europe safer or more competitive, nor play a stronger role at the global level, with 4% cuts in Headings 2 and 3, which finance exactly these priorities. That is precisely why Europe needs a stronger budget, not a weaker one, such as the one put forward by the negotiation box. It is wrong to focus only on how much the EU budget costs. The correct approach is also to consider how much more a weaker EU budget will cost us. Rather than putting forward a toothless budget, we should engage in an open-minded discussion about a new package of genuine EU own resources. Europe cannot continue asking farmers, workers, and taxpayers to shoulder a greater burden while billionaires such as Elon Musk and the world’s largest digital companies continue to profit enormously from the Single Market without making a fair contribution in return. We can correct this with new own resources, such as a digital levy. We reiterate our call for a moderate 10% increase in the budget in order to adequately finance both traditional and new priorities. Most importantly, we count on the upcoming Irish Council Presidency to make up for the delays that have accumulated in the Council over the past months. Following the European Parliament’s adoption of its position on the next long-term EU budget, the Council needs to reach a common position as soon as possible so that we can start the much-needed dialogue between the Parliament and the Council and reach an agreement before the end of this year. @Europarl_EN @EU_Commission @CY2026EU

A busy week ahead across Brussels, Ireland and Moldova. Monday and Tuesday in Brussels for meetings on the future EU budget. Wednesday to Friday in Ireland for the @EPPGroup Summer University, with debates on security, competitiveness and transatlantic relations. Sunday in #Moldova for the Congress of the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), the country's governing pro-European party. More: siegfriedmuresan.eu/agenda

30 days after the fall of the previous government, the Romanian President has designated the leader of a non-parliamentary party to form the next government. Governing in a democracy requires transparency and legitimacy, which can only be provided through popular support expressed in parliamentary elections. Non-transparent governance fuels populism, and that is not what we need in these times. #Romania

What we know so far about the Russian drone that hit an apartment block in #Romania last night: 🔹For the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a Russian drone has hit an apartment block in a @NATO member state, causing injuries to civilians. 🔹The Geran-2 Russian drone struck a civilian apartment building around 2 AM last night. The city where this happened, Galați, is located on the Danube River, around 15 km from Ukraine's border. 🔹The drone's entire explosive payload detonated upon impact. 🔹Two people were injured and around 70 residents were evacuated from the building. 🔹Romania has informed NATO Allies about the incident. @SecGenNATO Mark Rutte is in contact with the Romanian authorities. Romania is the second largest beneficiary of EU’s new defense program SAFE and prioritises its implementation to increase its defense capabilities.

Russia’s aggression does not stop at Ukraine’s frontier. A Russian drone hit a civilian apartment block in Galați, #Romania, last night and injured two people. Once again, #Russia shows that it is not only waging war against Ukraine. Its actions threaten the security of all Europe and directly affect citizens living inside the European Union and @NATO . This is why #Europe must stay united, strengthen its defence capabilities and remain ready to protect its citizens and its borders.

Democracy, reform and pro-European leadership win. President @sandumaiamd proved it in Moldova. Honoured to welcome her to the @EPPGroup meeting in the European Parliament last evening. Maia Sandu achieved something historic for a democratic political movement in Europe: the party she created had two consecutive parliamentary election victories with an absolute majority, without compromises with oligarchic interests or fake pro-European forces that opposed real reform. The EPP Group strongly supports accelerating #Moldova’s EU accession process.

El ex presidente socialista del Gobierno español José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero ha sido imputado por blanqueo de capitales en la investigación del caso Plus Ultra, vinculada al rescate de 53 millones de euros aprobado bajo el Gobierno de Pedro Sánchez. Por primera vez en la democracia española, un ex presidente del Gobierno está investigado en una causa por corrupción. #España es la cuarta economía de la UE. Esto afecta directamente a la confianza pública, la rendición de cuentas y el Estado de Derecho, y no puede ignorarse. El deber de los políticos es gestionar el dinero público con cuidado e integridad. Ahora corresponde a las autoridades investigar este caso a fondo. Lo que podemos hacer como ciudadanos es mantenernos siempre alejados de los políticos corruptos que malgastan nuestro dinero.

Former Socialist Prime Minister Zapatero is under criminal investigation for alleged money laundering in the Plus Ultra case linked to the €53M bailout granted under the government of Pedro Sánchez. Never before in democratic #Spain has a former Prime Minister been under criminal investigation in a corruption case. Spain is the EU’s fourth-largest economy. The implications for public trust, democratic accountability, and the rule of law cannot be ignored. The duty of politicians is to manage public money with care and integrity. It is now up to the authorities to investigate this case thoroughly. What we can do as citizens is always stay away from corrupt politicians who mismanage our money.

The president of Moldova, @sandumaiamd, received the European Parliament’s Order of Merit for what she has done not only for the Republic of Moldova, but also for #Europe. She strengthened security at the #EU’s border during #Russia’s war against #Ukraine and kept #Moldova on the European path. At a time when extremism and populism are rising across Europe, she proved that responsible, pro-European leadership can still win.

Europe honours those who defend democracy, freedom and its values. @sandumaiamd was awarded the European Order of Merit by the @Europarl_EN, in recognition of her commitment to Moldova’s European path. This distinction also belongs to the citizens of the Republic of #Moldova, who continue to choose Europe.

This week in #EPlenary, we will award, for the first time, the European Order of Merit. Among the laureates: Moldovan President @sandumaiamd, and Poland’s @PresidentWalesa. My agenda also includes work on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and Europe’s priorities in today’s geopolitical context. more: siegfriedmuresan.eu/agenda

Reforms make our economies stronger.

Thank you, @CarmenCrespoPP , for highlighting our common commitment to a strong Common Agricultural Policy that protects farmers, supports investments and delivers stability for rural communities across Europe. In the @Europarl_EN, we continue to defend a strong and adequately funded #CAP, without cuts for farmers and without uncertainty for rural regions.

The €2.62 billion approved today by the @EU_Commission for #Romania under the Recovery and Resilience Facility comes after reforms implemented by the center-right, pro-European, reform-oriented interim Prime Minister Ilie @Bolojan. His government delivered long-delayed fiscal reforms from the previous Socialist Government, and measures to improve the governance of state-owned companies, reforms required to unlock EU funding and strengthen Romania’s public finances. This is what a serious, pro-European government looks like: reforms implemented, #EUfunds secured, and public interest placed above party networks.

Work in the @Europarl_EN continues. After the European Parliament adopted its position on the future EU long-term budget, the next step is clear: explaining and defending our position ahead of the negotiations. This week, I am presenting Parliament’s #MFF position in meetings with Member States, stakeholders and the German Bundestag. Our goal: a stronger #EUbudget that supports #competitiveness, #security, #agriculture and #cohesion. More: siegfriedmuresan.eu/agenda