subsidies

The European Parliament elections are less than two weeks away, and one of the main topics will be the subsidy system. A number of experts are calling for it to be changed, and questions arise as to where the European Union will get the money for subsidies. The transformation of the EU towards green technologies could limit financial resources for structural funds, which would have a negative effect mainly on poorer countries, including the Czech Republic. Economists also point to possible financial problems for the EU after the departure of Great Britain, one of the biggest contributors. Klára Votavová, a researcher at the EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the situation for TV Nova.

Farmers in the Czech Republic receive the fifth largest package of national subsidies in the European Union, behind Poland, Germany and Austria. Moreover, the whole system is set up in such a way that small farmers often do not receive subsidies at all. According to Viktor Daňek, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, the system cannot function fairly without a cap or a significant degression in payments.