The European Commission has received a multiannual budget from 21 of the 27 EU Member States.
European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis announced this on Thursday during his hearing in the European Parliament.
Belgium missed the 20 September deadline because its federal government is still being formed.
As part of the reformed European budget rules, Member States must submit a medium-term plan for their budget, investments, and reforms.
Only Denmark and Malta met the initial 20 September deadline.
“We knew we were working with a tight deadline, but the new rules allow for extensions,” said Commissioner Dombrovskis.
Dombrovskis has overseen Member States’ budget policies for the past five years and will continue to do so in the new Commission.
Most questions during his hearing concerned this role.
He is currently only a candidate for the second Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen.
A second deadline of 15 October was set for Member States to submit their draft budgets for 2025.
Belgium has received an extension until 31 December to submit its budgetary plans following a request by formateur Bart De Wever.
Belgium is not the only country to exceed the initial deadline significantly.
The Commission has received multiannual budgets from 21 Member States, with six still outstanding.
Dombrovskis emphasised that the new budgetary rules allow for such extensions, especially when a new government is being formed in a Member State.
When questioned, he assured that all Member States would be treated equally in budgetary matters.
There will be no extra leeway for larger and more influential countries.
However, Member States will have more freedom to develop their policies within the European framework.
