The European Parliament has approved, with 421 votes in favor, 180 against, and 55 abstentions, the extension of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and respective national plans (NRP) for 18 months, but only for projects nearing completion. This decision rejects the proposal by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) to extend all ongoing projects until August 2028.
In statements to the Lusa agency, João Oliveira highlighted that this rejection jeopardizes the fulfillment of the NRP in Portugal, noting that out of the 120 projects submitted for funding, only nine have been completed, with 80% of the execution time already elapsed.
The MEP recalled data from the European Commission, indicating that 33% of the measures planned in the Portuguese NRP are “in a critical or worrisome state,” particularly those in areas as crucial as housing or health, representing a risk of not receiving associated funds and challenges in project completion.
The proposed date of August 2028 coincides with the first year of application for the next EU multiannual budget (2028-2034),” Oliveira noted, adding that he will continue to pressure the EU executive to extend all programs.
The MEP opposes redirecting unexecuted NRP funds for housing, health, and public services to security and defense, lamenting that only the Portuguese MP from the BE, Catarina Martins, voted in favor of his proposal during the European Parliament’s assessment of the RRF and respective NRP.
Members of the European Parliament from PS, PSD, IL, and CDS voted against, while those from Chega abstained, he added.
The European Parliament acknowledged today that the short time frame for executing pending RRF funding presents challenges to completing major reforms, large-scale investments, and innovative projects, as well as milestones and targets that remain to be achieved by member states, representing 70%.
The approved text also calls on the Commission to create new programs that should be flexible, responsive to evolving circumstances, and ensure predictability, alongside the 18-month extension for mature projects underway.
