Kata Tütto, the president of the Committee of the Regions and a Hungarian socialist, has issued stark warnings regarding the potential impacts of proposals being discussed in the EU for the long-term budget set to run from 2028 to 2034. She emphasizes that changes to the EU's Cohesion Policy, which allocates funding aimed at reducing inequalities among the various towns and regions within the EU, may result in significant reductions to financial support for local investments.

In her interview, Tütto draws attention to the proposed 'mega-fund' which has an estimated value of around €865 billion, indicating that while such funds might appear beneficial on the surface, they carry the risk of reallocating existing resources in a way that disadvantages smaller municipalities and those in less affluent regions. The implications of this shift could be profound, as local authorities rely heavily on EU funding for infrastructure, services, and development projects crucial for their communities.

The debate over the budget is set against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about how best to support all regions of the EU, especially those that may be economically lagging behind more prosperous areas. Tütto's plea to 'keep Europe strong from the inside' highlights the need for equitable support that ensures all regions can thrive, underscoring the Committee's commitment to advocating for balanced and fair distribution of EU funds.