EPICENTER

In HuffingtonPost.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, highlighted that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece continues to be financed directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis draws parallels with EU institutions, where staff pensions are largely unfunded and covered by the current EU budget, calling for reforms toward greater capitalisation and reduced long-term pressure on taxpayers.

In Linkiesta.it, the Istituto Bruno Leoni presented Epicenter’s new study on the EU budget, criticising the European Commission’s proposal to expand the next Multiannual Financial Framework with new own resources such as the CORE corporate tax and other levies. The analysis argues that there is no need to increase the budget beyond 1% of GNI, as most additional spending objectives can be achieved at national level or by the market, and warns that new European taxes would only raise the overall fiscal burden without any offsetting reductions in national taxation.

In Ilfoglio.it, Carlo Stagnaro discussed the European Commission’s proposal to expand the next Multiannual Financial Framework, highlighting the risks of higher spending and new own resources. The article presents Epicenter’s new study, coordinated by Christian Năsulea, which applies a strict subsidiarity test to EU spending and argues that the budget should be capped at 1% of GNI. The analysis calls for fewer missions pursued more effectively, deep cuts to non-core programmes, and a focus on strengthening the Single Market rather than expanding fiscal centralisation and joint debt.

In BTA.bg, the Institute for Market Economics (IME), as part of the Epicenter network, warned that new EU own resources such as the Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE) and tobacco revenue sharing would negatively affect Bulgaria, with at least 300 large companies potentially impacted. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the Multiannual Financial Framework at around 1% of GNI (approximately €1.54tn), calls for deep cuts to inefficient programmes, and prioritises competitiveness, the Single Market, and genuine European public goods over fiscal centralisation.

In Focus-News.net, the Institute for Market Economics (IME), as part of the Epicenter network, warned that at least 300 large companies in Bulgaria could be negatively impacted by the European Commission’s proposed Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE). The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the Multiannual Financial Framework at around 1% of GNI and strongly opposes new EU own resources that would increase the overall tax burden and centralise fiscal policy.

In Investor.bg, the Institute for Market Economy (IMI), as part of the Epicenter network, presented the Alternative EU Budget proposal, warning that Bulgaria would be negatively affected by the European Commission’s new own resources such as corporate taxation (CORE) and tobacco revenue sharing. The article argues that Bulgaria benefits more from a competitive, dynamic Europe focused on the Single Market than from expanding fiscal centralisation, and supports capping the next Multiannual Financial Framework at around 1% of GNI with deep cuts to inefficient programmes.

In BrusselsReport.eu, Epicenter’s Director Adam Bartha outlined the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, arguing for a leaner EU budget capped at 1% of Gross National Income instead of the Commission’s proposed record-high spending. The piece criticises the ever-expanding Multiannual Financial Framework and advocates deep cuts to inefficient programmes such as the Common Agricultural Policy, while prioritising genuine cross-border needs like border protection, single market functioning, and defence.

In Expresso.pt, Epicenter’s analysts presented the network’s bold Alternative EU Budget proposal, challenging the European Commission’s plans for a significantly larger budget by advocating a cap at 1% of Gross National Income. The analysis highlights deep cuts to inefficient spending and a reorientation toward competitiveness and growth, questioning whether EU member states are prepared to move away from ever-expanding budgets toward a leaner, more effective European fiscal framework.