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REPORT (2023/2130(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022, Section I – European Parliament

A-9-2024-0067

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Andrey Novakov

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The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant its President discharge for the implementation of Parliament's 2022 budget, and sets out its observations in an accompanying resolution. The resolution reviews Parliament's 2022 spending of EUR 2 161 million, the Court of Auditors' findings, the Internal Auditor's report, and the work of Parliament's directorates-general. It asks for stronger transparency and integrity rules, better enforcement of the transparency register, and action on harassment, whistleblowing and the Voluntary Pension Fund. It calls for improvements in procurement, recruitment, buildings, energy use, multilingual services and support for accredited parliamentary assistants.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes that Parliament grant discharge to its President for the 2022 budget and adopt the accompanying resolution with its observations.

Key points

  1. Parliament grants its President discharge for the implementation of Parliament's budget for the financial year 2022.
  2. Parliament's final appropriations for 2022 totalled EUR 2 161 million, 19,55 % of Heading 7, a 4,76 % increase on 2021.
  3. Total revenue entered as of 31 December 2022 was EUR 250 473 772; assigned revenue made available was EUR 61 267 620.
  4. The Court of Auditors found the level of error in 'European public administration' spending not material and recommended stronger guidance for political groups on procurement.
  5. The Internal Auditor reported that 38 of 92 open actions were closed, 29 were overdue by more than 12 months, and one planned IT audit could not be carried out.
  6. Parliament calls for robust transparency standards, financial pre-screening of entities in the transparency register, and disclosure of all funding sources.
  7. Parliament asks the Bureau to reverse the reduction of sponsored visitor quotas and to remove APAs from permitted heads of groups.
  8. Parliament proposes minimum 35 % of parliamentary assistance budget for APAs, with caps of 25 % for service providers, 25 % for local assistants and 15 % for trainees.
  9. Parliament welcomes the Bureau's decision on negotiated termination of APA contracts and calls for exploring a notice period and access to internal competitions.
  10. Parliament welcomes energy-saving measures that saved EUR 10,5 million from May 2022 to October 2023 and calls for more sustainable transport and buildings.
  11. Parliament calls for mandatory anti-harassment training for Members, APAs and staff, and welcomes new whistleblowing rules adopted on 20 November 2023.
  12. Parliament notes the Voluntary Pension Fund's actuarial deficit of EUR 379 million and asks that no taxpayer money be used for a future bail-out.

Who is affected

  • Members of the European Parliament: discharge covers their allowances, travel reimbursements and code of conduct.
  • Accredited parliamentary assistants: new rules on contracts, missions, training and internal competitions.
  • Political groups and European political parties and foundations: funding rules and external audit requirements.
  • Parliament's directorates-general: budget implementation, recruitment, buildings and security.
  • Interest representatives and NGOs: transparency register registration and funding disclosure obligations.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 2 161 million: Parliament's final appropriations for 2022.
  • 19,55 %: Parliament's share of Heading 7 of the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2022.
  • 4,76 %: increase of Parliament's 2022 budget compared to 2021.
  • EUR 250 473 772: total revenue entered in the accounts as of 31 December 2022.
  • EUR 61 267 620: assigned revenue made available in 2022.
  • EUR 16 417 325: estimated COVID-19 surplus transferred out of certain budget items.
  • EUR 7 549 000: reinforcement of other budget lines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • EUR 10,5 million: energy consumption savings from May 2022 until October 2023.

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