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REPORT (2025/2146(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section I – European Parliament

A-10-2026-0081

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: GerbenJan Gerbrandy

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Parliament grants discharge to its President for the 2024 budget, approving the implementation of Section I. The accompanying resolution sets out observations on financial management, internal control, and political priorities. The resolution covers Parliament's budget execution, Court of Auditors' findings, internal audit follow-up, and specific issues like the ID Group's unduly spent funds, data breaches, and AI governance. It calls for improvements in transparency, ethics, cybersecurity, and gender balance, and addresses concerns about foreign interference and the Voluntary Pension Scheme's underfunding.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes granting discharge to the President for the 2024 budget, with observations in the resolution.

Key points

  1. Parliament's final appropriations for 2024 totalled EUR 2 383 million, a 6.05% increase from 2023, with total revenue of EUR 281 517 001.
  2. The Court of Auditors found no material error in administrative spending; Parliament's accounts were reliable and transactions legal and regular.
  3. Notes the ID Group unduly spent at least EUR 4 333 635.78 of budget item 400 funds over 2019-2024; calls for recovery and cooperation with EPPO investigation.
  4. Calls for better gender balance in committees and leadership, and for the Gender Action Plan to be made public and implemented.
  5. Calls for stronger safeguards against foreign interference, including secure device management and incident reporting, and for transparency in AI use.
  6. Regrets delays in Commission replies to parliamentary questions, with the longest at 475 days; calls for binding arrangements to ensure timely replies.
  7. Notes the PEOPLE data breach affecting staff; welcomes reimbursement of EUR 51 874 for ID replacement but calls for broader support and analysis.
  8. Calls for measures to address geographical imbalance in staff, including concrete, time-bound actions and regular reporting.
  9. Notes the Voluntary Pension Scheme deficit of EUR 105 million; acknowledges Bureau measures and the General Court's dismissal of challenges.
  10. Calls for enhanced transparency in procurement, including machine-readable data, and notes the decrease in contracts awarded in 2024.
  11. Calls for investigation into alleged misuse of funds by PfE and ESN groups, and for adequate oversight mechanisms for political groups.
  12. Welcomes Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2025/2445 strengthening democratic integrity; calls for enhanced resources for the Authority for European Political Parties.

Who is affected

  • Political groups, including ID Group and PfE Group, face scrutiny and potential recovery of funds.
  • Parliament's staff and APAs affected by the PEOPLE data breach receive support measures.
  • European political parties and foundations are subject to new compliance requirements under Regulation 2025/2445.
  • Members of Parliament face calls for greater transparency in declarations and use of allowances.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 2 383 million final appropriations for 2024
  • EUR 281 517 001 total revenue
  • EUR 4 333 635.78 unduly spent by ID Group
  • EUR 51 874 paid for ID replacement costs
  • EUR 105 million deficit in Voluntary Pension Scheme
  • 475 days longest reply time for written questions

Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Article 318 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union