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DRAFT 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

CONT-PR-776734

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: GerbenJan Gerbrandy

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This draft report proposes granting discharge to Parliament's President for the 2024 budget and sets out observations on financial management, internal control, and political priorities. It notes Parliament's final appropriations of EUR 2 383 million for 2024 and highlights areas of concern including the ID Group's undue spending, a data breach, and high costs of the Voluntary Pension Scheme. It calls for reforms to the General Expenditure Allowance, enhanced oversight of political groups, and continued investment in cybersecurity and AI governance.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes granting discharge to Parliament's President for the 2024 budget, with observations in the resolution.

Key points

  1. Grants discharge to Parliament's President for implementing the 2024 budget, with observations in the resolution.
  2. Notes final appropriations of EUR 2 383 million for 2024, a 6.05% increase from 2023, and that six chapters accounted for 85.7% of commitments.
  3. Regrets that only three auditors were on the list for political groups' audits and calls for opening selection to all qualified European auditors.
  4. Recalls that the ID Group unduly spent at least EUR 4 333 635.78 of budget item 400 funds over 2019-2024, and that EPPO opened an investigation.
  5. Calls for recovery actions as soon as possible and for the Bureau to reinforce external auditor oversight and provide clearer guidance on budget item 400 rules.
  6. Calls for restricting secret votes to elections or votes on individuals, and for full transparency on AI use in institutions.
  7. Notes the data breach in the PEOPLE recruitment system affecting staff, and calls for clear analysis and prevention measures.
  8. Calls for reform of the General Expenditure Allowance, including keeping receipts and annual 5% sample checks.
  9. Notes the Voluntary Pension Scheme's deficit of EUR 105 million and calls for addressing it after the CJEU ruling.
  10. Notes that 192 contracts were awarded in 2024, with 95 based on open procedures, and calls for strengthened oversight of political groups.
  11. Welcomes Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2025/2445 on political parties and calls for enhanced resources for the Authority.

Who is affected

  • Parliament's administration and its directorates-general, which must implement reforms and improvements called for in the report.
  • Political groups, which face increased oversight and must comply with rules on budget item 400.
  • Members of Parliament, who may be subject to new requirements for the General Expenditure Allowance.
  • European political parties and foundations, which must comply with new values and donation rules.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 2 383 million: Parliament's final appropriations for 2024.
  • EUR 4 333 635.78: amount unduly spent by the ID Group over 2019-2024.
  • EUR 51 874: paid to date for replacing ID cards/passports after the data breach.
  • EUR 105 million: deficit of the Voluntary Pension Scheme at end of 2024.
  • EUR 15 000: threshold above which contract publication is required.
  • 192: total contracts awarded in 2024.

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