On Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2025

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2025

(2023/2221(BUI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014 and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012,

– having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027, and to the joint declarations agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission in this context and the related unilateral declarations,

– having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources,

– having regard to its interim report on the proposal for a mid-term revision of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027,

– having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2022 on upscaling the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework: a resilient EU budget fit for new challenges,

– having regard to the revised Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 0000/2024 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (MFF Revision),

– having regard to the Commission proposal of 16 May 2022 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union,

– having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1023/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 amending the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union,

– having regard to its resolution of 20 April 2023 on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2024,

– having regard to its resolution of 18 October 2023 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024,

– having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024 and the joint statements agreed between Parliament, the Council and the Commission annexed hereto,

– having regard to the Secretary-General’s report to the Bureau on drawing up Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for the financial year 2025,

– having regard to the preliminary draft estimates drawn up by the Bureau on 11 March 2024 pursuant to Rules 25(7) and 102(1) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the draft estimates drawn up by the Committee on Budgets pursuant to Rule 102(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to Rule 102 of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A9-0000/2024),

A. whereas the budget proposed on 26 February 2024 by the Secretary-General for Parliament’s preliminary draft estimates for 2025 amounts to EUR 2 507 233 329 and represents an increase of 5,21 % or EUR 124 132 017 compared to 2024 budget;

B. whereas the Commission forecasts the EU inflation rate to be 3 % in 2024 and 2,5 % in 2025 in its Winter 2024 (Interim) Forecast; whereas the level of expenditure in Heading 7 of the MFF 2021-2027 is based on a 2 % yearly increase;

C. whereas the credibility of the Parliament depends on its ability to focus on its core budgetary, legislative and scrutiny work to the highest standard, while setting an example vis-à-vis other Union institutions to plan and conduct its spending prudently and efficiently and to reflect the prevalent economic realities;

D. whereas 2025 will be the first full year after the elections and there will therefore be a return to the normal pace of core political and support activities;

E. whereas the Parliament is finalising its deep reform process started last year to, on one hand review its internal working methods making parliamentary work more efficient, and on the other hand to strengthen its institutional role leading to a better functioning Parliament as co-legislator, as arm of the budgetary authority, as discharge authority and increasing its capacity to exercise democratic oversight;

General framework

1. Is aware of the constraints of Heading 7 in the current MFF; recalls that these constraints are the results of the cuts applied by the Council to the Commission’s already very low initial proposal when agreeing on the current MFF 2021-2027; regrets the Council’s opposition to the Commission’s proposal to increase the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision as from 2024; points out the failure to address the issue of the ceiling of Heading 7 in the MFF revision; highlights that the forecasted negative margin for 2025 presupposes the use of special instruments in Heading 7 for that purpose;

2. Recalls that almost two-thirds of the budget is fixed by statutory obligations; recalls that the salary indexation, in line with the Staff Regulations and Statute for Members of the European Parliament, is currently forecasted by the Commission for July 2024, April 2025 and July 2025 at 5,3 %, 0,6 % and 3,7 % respectively; notes that the 2024 budget includes a salary indexation of 3,4 % as from July 2024;

3. Notes that out of the increase of EUR 124 million compared to the 2024 budget an increase of EUR 98 million is due to statutory obligations, mainly for salary updates for staff (EUR 54,7 million) and parliamentary assistance related expenditure (EUR 33,2 million); notes that the increase for non-statutory expenses is EUR 26 million, representing an increase of 2,87 % compared to 2024;

4. Notes that the Parliament does not request any additional posts for 2025;

5. Notes that the 98 permanent posts created in the 2023 budget to facilitate the application of Article 29(4) of the Staff Regulation have been removed from the 2025 establishment plan;

Visitors groups and Europa Experiences

6. Recalls that visitors groups represent an important tool for Members to connect with constituents and to demonstrate their parliamentary work to constituents; highlights that visitors groups contribute to promoting the role of the Parliament to voters throughout the Union;

7. Notes with concern the increasing difficulties of arranging such visits due to the financial limitations of the existing budget, particularly for Members from Member States that are geographically far from Brussels and Strasbourg; acknowledges that some of these difficulties could be eased by changes to the rules governing such visits, but ultimately believes that a larger budget is necessary to resolve the underlying issues;

8. Calls the Secretary-General to propose to the Quaestors as soon as possible an increase of the ceilings for the costs covered to continue and enhance Members’ support in enabling visitors groups to visit the Parliament;

9. Recalls the Bureau decision of 25 November 2019 to establish Europa Experience centres in all Members States by the end of 2024; regrets the delays in establishing Europa Experiences in all Member States before the 2024 Parliament elections and notes that currently only 12 are in operation;

10. Takes note that five centres are planned to be opened in 2025 (in Athens, Zagreb, The Hague, Sofia and Budapest); calls for the establishment of Europa Experiences in all Member States as soon as possible; recalls that Europa Experiences should allow all citizens to have a better understanding of the functioning of the Union institutions;

Infrastructure

11. Takes note that the Committee on Budgets approved the Bureau’s decision to carry out a profound environmental renovation of the SPAAK building, in line with the its resolution of 19 October 2022 on the Council position on the draft general budget of the European Union for financial year 2023; takes note that EUR 9,5 million are included in the 2025 estimates for studies; reminds the Bureau that proper information and consultation with the Committee on Budgets before adopting any major decision on building related issues and its financing is needed due to their important budgetary implications;

12. Recognises the need to start renovation works in 2025 to the TREVES II building in order to facilitate the temporary accommodation of staff that will be displaced as part of the renovations of the SPAAK building;

13. Takes note of the need to improve access for persons with disabilities to the Plenary Chamber in Strasbourg;

14. Recalls that Parliament's administration is currently working on a comprehensive approach to define Parliament's long-term building policy considering in particular environmental obligations, energy efficiency, and waste management in line with the "Fit for 55" package and expects the results to be made public;

15. Welcomes the continuous efforts and measures put in place by the Parliament in order to reduce its environmental footprint;

16. Underlines the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for supporting Members to exercise their mandate and for various activities of the Parliament’s administration; welcomes that projects in AI are already in the pipeline for 2025;

17. Reiterates its call on the Conference of Presidents and the Bureau to revise the implementing provisions governing the work of delegations and missions outside the Union; underlines that such a revision should consider the possibility for APAs, subject to certain conditions, to accompany Members on official Parliament delegations and missions;

18. Adopts the estimates for the financial year 2025;

19. Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the estimates to the Council and the Commission.