started · updated
European Court of Auditors warns of rising EU debt and spending errors
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has issued a warning regarding the management of the European Union's finances. In its 2025 annual report, the ECA noted that the estimated error rate in EU spending rose to 3.8%, up from 3.6% in 2024. This includes significant irregularities in cohesion funds, where the error rate climbed from 5.7% in 2024 to 6.6% in 2025.
Auditors highlighted issues within the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), noting that nine out of 37 grant payments made to Member States in 2025 did not comply with established rules. Common errors included violations of public procurement procedures and the financing of ineligible projects. The ECA also warned that EU debt could reach 1 trillion euros by 2027, with interest payments for the COVID-19 recovery fund potentially reaching 93 billion euros between 2028 and 2034.
Simultaneously, the European Parliament is debating the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). MEPs are calling for a more ambitious budget to address structural challenges in security, climate, and competitiveness, resisting calls for reductions.
In Italy, the government's Public Finance Program Document (DPFP) projects 1% GDP growth for 2026 and a deficit of approximately 2.9%. While the document outlines a gradual decline in public debt starting in 2028, the country remains highly exposed to interest rate fluctuations.
Entities
European Commission · European Court of Auditors · European Parliament · European Union · Italian Government · Italy · National Recovery and Resilience Plan · Stef Blok · Tony Murphy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is estimated to have a cumulative impact of 9.2% on Italy's GDP by 2031. www.ripartelitalia.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] The European Court of Auditors reports that EU debt could reach 1 trillion euros by 2027. www.rd.nl · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · www.upday.com · nos.nl · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The error rate for EU cohesion funds increased from 5.7% in 2024 to 6.6% in 2025. www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · eco.sapo.pt
- [● 2 SOURCES] Italy's Public Finance Program Document (DPFP) projects 1% GDP growth in 2026 and a deficit of approximately 2.9%. www.nuovogiornalenazionale.com · www.studiamo.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] Italy's public debt is projected to reach 138.1% of GDP in 2026 and 138.6% in 2027 before beginning a slow decline in 2028. www.nuovogiornalenazionale.com · www.studiamo.it
- [● 4 SOURCES] European Court of Auditors member Stef Blok warned that the proposed new budget model's goals are too vague and difficult to monitor. www.rd.nl · www.upday.com · nos.nl · www.welingelichtekringen.nl
- [● 11 SOURCES] The estimated error rate in EU budget spending rose to 3.8% in 2025, up from 3.6% in 2024. www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · eco.sapo.pt · nieuws.nl · www.upday.com · agerpres.ro · +6 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Interest payments for the COVID-19 recovery fund could reach 93 billion euros during the 2028-2034 period. www.rd.nl · www.upday.com · www.correiodamanhacanada.com · observador.pt · www.cmjornal.pt
- [● 7 SOURCES] Nine out of 37 Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) grant payments made to Member States in 2025 failed to comply with established rules and conditions. www.imgpress.it · lomazoma.com · www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.cash.ch · www.finanzen.at · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Common budgetary errors included violations of public procurement rules and the financing of ineligible projects or costs. www.imgpress.it · lomazoma.com · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · www.ad-hoc-news.de · www.cash.ch · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Members of the European Parliament are calling for a more ambitious budget for 2028-2034 to address structural challenges. www.puglialive.net · www.baltictimes.com