Serafin's candidacy for the next EU budget commissioner was endorsed on Thursday in the European Parliament by the EPP, the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Renew Europe, and the Greens, Polish state news agency PAP reported, citing EU sources.
His approval by MEPs seems all but certain, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
During his three-hour hearing in the European Parliament, Serafin answered questions from MEPs on EU finances and the budget.
The EPP is confident enough in Serafin's confirmation that they have already declared him the next EU commissioner via social media, a source said, according to the PAP news agency.
Security, reform, flexible EU budget
Serafin said during his hearing in the European Parliament that security and defense should be top priorities in the next EU budget, which will aim to link reforms with investments in every EU member state.
"We want to develop these plans in dialogue with Europe's capitals and regions," he said.
"Nearly 1,000 days ago, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the security of the European Union is also at risk," Serafin warned, adding that this focus on security would not come at the expense of agriculture or cohesion policies.
Serafin advocated for tying EU funds to reforms and centralizing budget management while still considering regional input.
He also argued that the new EU budget should be more flexible, less bureaucratic and serve as an emblem of unity and shared responsibility for Europe’s future.
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Source: IAR/PAP/EPP/X/@Piotr_Serafin
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.
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