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DRAFT SECOND REPORT (2025/2147(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section II – European Council and Council

CONT-PR-790743

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Pasquale Tridico

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This draft report refuses to grant discharge to the Secretary-General of the Council for the 2024 budget, citing the Council's continued non-cooperation with Parliament's scrutiny. It demands the Council cooperate, answer questionnaires, and engage in negotiations, and calls for treaty reforms to clarify discharge powers and separate the European Council and Council budgets.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes refusing discharge to the Secretary-General of the Council for the 2024 budget, with observations calling for cooperation and reforms.

Key points

  1. Refuses to grant discharge to the Secretary-General of the Council for implementing the 2024 budget of the European Council and Council.
  2. Regrets that since 2009 the Council has refused to cooperate, preventing informed discharge decisions.
  3. Notes the Council did not answer Parliament's 103-question questionnaire or attend the hearing, unlike other institutions.
  4. Emphasizes Parliament's sole discharge power under Article 319 TFEU and the Commission's inability to oversee other institutions' budgets.
  5. Finds it incomprehensible that the Council believes discharge should be granted to the Commission for the Council budget.
  6. Stresses that non-cooperation damages trust and discredits budget management; demands the Council adhere to the same accountability standards.
  7. Calls on the Council to follow up on Parliament's recommendations and respect its role as guarantor of democratic accountability.
  8. Urges treaty revision to explicitly empower Parliament to grant discharge individually to all institutions, and calls for negotiations.
  9. Reiterates that previous observations remain valid and calls for separating the European Council and Council budgets for transparency.
  10. Calls for targeted treaty reforms or practical improvements to strengthen transparency and efficiency, noting unanimity voting can paralyze decision-making.

Who is affected

  • The Council and its Secretary-General, who face refusal of discharge and demands for cooperation.
  • The European Council, whose budget costs remain unclear and should be separated from the Council's.

Figures and deadlines

  • 103 questions in Parliament's questionnaire to the Council.
  • Since 2009, the Council has refused to cooperate in discharge procedures.
  • 15 years of lack of political willingness to collaborate.

Legal basis: Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union