EPICENTER

In Euractiv, Epicenter’s research fellow Christian Năsuela sharply criticised the European Commission’s record €1.8tn Multiannual Financial Framework proposal, arguing that the next EU budget should be capped at €1.54tn. The piece highlights the network’s Alternative EU Budget initiative, which calls for deep cuts to inefficient programmes, rejects new own resources that fail basic coherence tests, and urges a shift toward genuine competitiveness-enhancing priorities instead of ever-expanding spending.

In Kurzy.cz, experts from the Centre for Economic and Market Analyses (CETA), as part of the Epicenter network, warned that the European Commission’s proposed €1.7 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework normalises joint EU debt and introduces problematic new own resources such as the CORE corporate levy. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the budget at 1% of GNI (approximately €1.54tn), rejects new taxes, and outlines seven key recommendations focused on subsidiarity, fiscal discipline, outcome-based spending, and strengthening competitiveness through the Single Market rather than ever-larger transfers.

In Les Echos, Cécile Philippe, President of the Institut Molinari, discussed the ongoing negotiations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, referencing Epicenter network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal. The article criticises the European Commission’s plan for a significantly larger budget reaching €1.763 trillion and new own resources through additional taxes, arguing instead for a strategic repositioning of European spending focused on genuine cross-border priorities rather than ever-expanding fiscal transfers and joint debt.

In Mononews.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, sounded the alarm in its latest study that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece in 2025 was still covered directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis also highlights similar unfunded patterns in the EU institutions, where only 21% of staff pensions are covered by contributions and 79% come directly from the EU budget, calling for a gradual shift toward a more capital-funded model to reduce long-term pressure on taxpayers and budgets.

In Kathimerini.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, highlighted in its new policy paper that Greece’s pension system remains heavily reliant on current workers’ contributions (57%) and general taxation (43%), with similar unfunded patterns observed in the EU institutions themselves. The analysis criticises the lack of proper capitalisation and reserves, noting that EU staff pensions have surged 183% in real terms since 2000 and are largely funded directly from the current EU budget rather than accumulated funds.

In Centrum.cz, experts from the Centrum ekonomických a tržních analýz (CETA), as part of the Epicenter network, criticised the European Commission’s proposed €1.7 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework, warning that it normalises joint EU debt through instruments such as the National and Regional Partnership Plan. The article presents the network’s Alternative EU Budget proposal, which caps the budget at 1% of GNI (approximately €1.54tn), rejects new own resources including the CORE corporate levy, and calls for fiscal discipline, reduced bureaucracy, and a focus on genuine competitiveness and the Single Market.

In Dnews.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its latest study showing that 43% of pension expenditure in Greece in 2025 continues to be funded directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis highlights similar unfunded liabilities at EU level, where 79% of staff pensions are paid from the current EU budget, and calls for structural reforms including stronger capitalisation to ease long-term pressure on taxpayers and public finances.

In Newsbeast.gr, the Centre for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), as part of the Epicenter network, presented its latest study showing that 43% of pension payments in Greece in 2025 are still covered directly from the regular state budget rather than social security contributions. The analysis draws parallels with the EU institutions, where 79% of staff pensions are funded from the current EU budget, and calls for structural reforms toward greater capitalisation to reduce the burden on taxpayers and improve long-term fiscal sustainability.