Publication

This paper scrutinizes the negotiations surrounding the EU budget from 2007-13 and in particular Spain's negotiating position therein. Examining in considerable detail the current state of expenditures and receipts to the EU from both Spanish and EU-wide perspectives, the author views these negotiations as crucial given the current financial trajectory which will see Spain's net contributions significantly increase towards the end of this budgetary period, culminating in the country becoming a net contributor to the EU by 2013. The Spanish government fears the speed at which the country loses many of its EU funds may have the unintended consequence of reducing the country's capacity to address societal concerns such as the low spread of IT and high secondary school attrition rates. The paper concludes by discussing general EU budgetary imbalances and proposes an assessment of the negotiating difficulties Spain is likely to face.