EU leaders urged to defend R&I budget

Sector wants new MEPs to ensure research and innovation programme has “ambitious and ring-fenced budget”

The EU’s next set of political leaders must ensure there is a strong budget for the bloc’s research and innovation funding programme, representatives from the R&I sector have said.

Elections for the European Parliament are taking place from 6 to 9 June. After the vote, a president of the European Commission will be proposed by the heads of the EU member states and approved or rejected by the new MEPs. Current Commission president Ursula von der Leyen could retain her position as she is running again.