Vigenin: More money for security, but with clear rules and control

“The Internal Security Fund of the European Union has to become more effective, with clearly formulated goals and focused on the real threats facing Europe. This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament during the first meeting between the political groups in the European Parliament on the new regulation for the fund for the 2028-2034 period. Vigenin took part in the negotiations as shadow rapporteur for the Group of Socialists and Democrats.

In his words, the significant increase in the budget, to 6.8 billion euro, almost four times more than the current one, also calls for significantly stricter control over how the money is spent. The Socialists insist that the fund have clear goals and measurable results, that it not overlap with other European financial instruments, and that it provide real support for investigating authorities in the fight against new and increasingly complex forms of crime, including abuse of artificial intelligence. At the same time they insist that it guarantee the protection of personal data and full respect for fundamental rights, and that it be under effective control by the European Parliament.

Fighting terrorism and extremism

Vigenin stressed that the fund is an extremely important instrument in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation within the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework. “We support the increased funding, but it has to be used responsibly and directed at real results for the security of European citizens,” he insisted.

Work on the legislative file is still ahead, and the Socialists’ goal is to guarantee a balance between effective security and the protection of democratic values in the European Union.