EU General Affairs Council: MFF 2028-34 Debate, Rule of Law Reviews, Electoral Rights Adopted

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) met in Brussels on May 26 to prepare the June 18-19 European Council agenda and advance several legislative items. Ministers held a substantive policy debate on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, including the proposed European Competitiveness Fund and National Partnership Plans — the most significant EU budget negotiation since the 2021-2027 MFF. The Council received an update on EU-UK relations, covering ongoing negotiations on a veterinary/SPS agreement, ETS linkage, and the Youth Experience Scheme following the May 2025 EU-UK Summit. The GAC also held rule of law country-specific dialogues on France, Croatia, Italy, and Latvia, and received a separate Article 7(1) update on Hungary. The Council formally adopted a directive strengthening EU citizens' municipal voting rights in other member states, and proxy voting amendments enabling MEPs to vote during pregnancy and early parenthood.