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Shifting EU politics mustn’t undermine R&D, say Mari Sundli Tveit, Javier Moreno-Fuentes and Marcel Levi
After four days of voting by some 450 million citizens, the fear that the European elections would produce a seismic shift towards the far right failed to materialise in full. Even so, while the main pro-EU parties of the centre right and left have gained enough seats to renew their grand coalition, it is still unclear what alliances far-right parties will form and what influence they might wield over EU policy
Following the results, current European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen spoke of “building a broad coalition” to act as a “bastion against the extremes”. Yet while the centre-right European People’s Party secured the most seats, bolstering von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as Commission president, the rise of a far-right opposition will pose challenges. We may well see the emergence of a more flexible, case-by-case political majority, beholden on specific issues to a strategic and emboldened ideological fringe.
This more polarised parliament is likely to make it more difficult to pass legislation and budgetary proposals on issues such as climate, immigration, trade and defence spending. It may come at the expense of the legislative agenda for the green transition—centre stage in EU policy before.
Achieving these objectives depends on Europe strengthening its competitiveness in research and innovation. Hence, increased political contention around spending, mobility, data security, the green transition and academic freedom, may impact EU support for research.
Importantly, the incoming parliament will set the agenda for the next R&I Framework Programme following Horizon Europe’s conclusion in 2027. The next College of Commissioners, and those appointed to key positions in the European Parliament, must support both research and science-informed policymaking when forming the EU’s new legislative agenda.
Delivering a democratic, economically competitive, culturally vibrant and environmentally conscious Europe, while benefitting from technological advancements, demands research environments with robust funding, protections for academic freedom, mobility and international collaboration.
Budget and balance
Research and innovation spending is an investment. Doubling the budget for the next Framework Programme to the €200 billion needed is essential to deliver groundbreaking discoveries and maintain a leading position in science and technology. The increased funding would support both large-scale projects and smaller, high-risk initiatives, all with the potential to deliver significant advances. A larger budget would enable the EU to address global challenges more effectively, from climate change to health crises, while finally achieving its decade-old commitment to spending 3 per cent of GDP on R&I.
A thriving research environment requires a delicate balance between fundamental and applied research. Fundamental research is the bedrock upon which applied and collaborative research turn scientific discoveries into practical solutions, driving economic growth, cultural development and a better quality of life.
The next Framework Programme must ensure the whole research value chain receives attention and funding, particularly as the European Commission explores dual-use research, potentially increasing the emphasis on work with both civil and military applications.
Close the gap
The performance gap in research and innovation capabilities between member states is a significant challenge that erodes the EU’s collective effectiveness. Bridging this gap requires targeted measures to support underperforming areas, such as increased funding, infrastructure development and capacity-building initiatives.
A more inclusive research environment can help the EU to unlock potential and create a more balanced and competitive research landscape. This approach ensures all 27 member states can contribute to and benefit from European science.
By doubling the Framework Programme budget, balancing fundamental and applied research, addressing the performance gap, and carefully considering dual-use research, the EU can secure its position as a global leader in culture, science and technology. Without these measures, that position is anything but assured.
As the European Parliament shapes these policies, Science Europe will continue to advocate for a research environment
that is inclusive, ethical, equitable and open, for Europe to thrive on an increasingly competitive and dynamic world stage, while continuing to protect the shared values that have defined the successes already achieved.
Mari Sundli Tveit is chief executive of the Research Council of Norway and president of Science Europe. Javier Moreno Fuentes is vice-president for international affairs at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and vice-president of Science Europe. Marcel Levi is president of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and vice-president of Science Europe.
This article also appeared in Research Europe