Numerous officials in Brussels express concern that the European Commission’s initiative to «simplify» could reduce oversight over expenditures and threaten the proper governance of public funds.
The proposed simplification of regulations within the upcoming EU research budget risks compromising the Union’s capacity to monitor the use of allocated resources, according to a report released on Monday by the European Court of Auditors.
As the body responsible for verifying the collection and allocation of EU funds, the court evaluated the upcoming EU budget for competitiveness and research, which totals €409 billion according to official documents — roughly 20% of the total EU budget of €2 trillion for 2028-2034.
The report highlights that the research sector is particularly susceptible to errors like overcompensation; consequently, any simplification efforts, including lump-sum financing, require protective measures to prevent misuse of funds.
«The Commission’s drive to streamline the EU’s financial procedures must not undermine accountability, effectiveness, efficiency, or economy,» the auditors emphasize.
The simplification agenda
Since the start of her second mandate as President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has advanced a «simplification» agenda aimed at reducing bureaucracy and deregulating EU legislation to enhance the bloc’s economic competitiveness.
Aligned with this goal, the Commission introduced several new legislative packages, termed «omnibuses,» designed to simplify major EU proposals, particularly those related to digital transformation and climate policies.
However, this strategy has encountered criticism from European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera. In a speech delivered in early December at the Bruegel think tank, she stressed that simplification must not be extended excessively.
“Deregulation removes essential safeguards, imposes costs on citizens and taxpayers, raises uncertainty, and hampers investment,” she remarked.
Comparable apprehensions have arisen within the European Parliament, currently reviewing the structure of the Commission’s omnibus legislation.
Among other points, European legislators have cautioned that relying on «approximations» within the omnibus framework could weaken the EU’s supervisory capabilities and impede transparency regarding how funds are utilized.