On the 2022 discharge: General budget of the EU - European Parliament

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SUGGESTIONS

The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

1. Points out that budgetary, administrative and staff related decisions taken by Parliament’s governing bodies have a cross-cutting impact on the administration, thus affecting the implementation phase, for example, services other than those initially envisaged; stresses in that regard the importance of the financial statements and budgetary impact of the proposals made by the competent Parliament's governing bodies in order to guarantee good administration in the institution;

2. Highlights the recommendations made by the European Parliament in its resolution of 10 May 2023 to amend the Implementing Measures for the Members’ Statute (IMMS), aimed at increasing transparency, accountability and sound financial management of funds made available to Members, bearing also in mind the principle of the independence of the parliamentary mandate and the importance to avoid creating unnecessary administrative burdens for Parliament, its Members and their offices;

3. Is concerned that the actuarial deficit of the Voluntary Pension Fund (VPF) on 31 December 2021 amounted to EUR 379 million (compared to EUR 371,3 million on 31 December 2020) and concurs with the Parliament’s call in its resolution of 10 May 2023 to adjust the modalities of the fund;

4. Welcomes the amendments made by the Parliament’s Bureau to Article 76 of the IMMS in relation to the Additional (Voluntary) Pension Scheme, which entered into force on 1 July 2023, and which aim at reducing future pension obligations from EUR 362.7 million to estimated EUR 139 million, and the actuarial deficit of the Fund from EUR 310 million to estimated EUR 86 million;

5. Welcomes any initiative of the Bureau to consult with the Committee for Legal Affairs about such measures touching upon the Members’ Statute in order to rapidly reach the adjustment goals in the most efficient manner.