EU summit considers downsizing number of MEPs, lead candidate model

Leaders of the 27 member-states of the European Union on Friday broadly agreed on the European Parliament's proposal on the reduction of the number of MEPs in the next composition of the parliament following the exit of Britain, however, they are against automaticity in the process of the election of the European Commission President in the lead candidate process (the so-called Spitzenkandidate process).

Croatia's Prime Minsiter Andrej Plenkovic said after the meeting that agreement in general was reached on the EP composition through downsizing the number of seats from 751 to 705.

"Croatia would be allocated one more seat and would have 12 MEPs instead of 11," the premier said after the informal meeting of EU leaders in Brussels.

The participants in the summit meeting discussed the post-2020 multiannual budget with Brexit in mind. The departure of Great Britain from the Union would also mean lower  revenues by 12-14 billion euros annually.

Furthermore, more funding should be ensured from the budget to tackle migrations, border protection and the defence of the Union.

PM Plenkovic expects a combination of savings and higher contributions to EU budget to offset a revenue gap to be caused by Brexit.

Text: Hina

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