Kompetenzaneignung ohne Vertragsänderung – EU-Kohäsionspolitik nach 2027

In July 2025, the European Commission presented its proposal for the European Union’s (EU) 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework. In this context, new regulations for cohesion policy will also have to be adopted. It is becoming apparent that a performance-based approach will be chosen. Money will then only be available in exchange for reforms. Cohesion policy is to be linked to the European Semester and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It remains to be seen to what extent the principles of partnership and multi-level governance that characterise cohesion policy will continue to play a key role under these conditions. It is also unclear what role regional equalisation will play in the future. There are indications that secondary law to be adopted will modify, if not undermine, the basic principles of cohesion policy enshrined in primary law. Cohesion policy is still on the way to becoming an informal economic policy. In this way, the EU appropriates competences for shaping economic policy that, according to the treaties, fall to the member states.