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Adopted text

Discharge 2024: EU general budget - Commission

TA-10-2026-0125 · P10_TA(2026)0125 · PE778.123

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Parliament grants discharge to the Commission and six executive agencies for implementing the 2024 EU budget, and approves closure of the accounts for the general budget and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds. The accompanying resolution sets out observations and recommendations, including concerns about rule of law backsliding, high error rates in spending, RRF transparency, and calls for corrective actions.

Key points

  1. Grants discharge to the Commission for the 2024 EU general budget and to the directors of six executive agencies for their budgets.
  2. Approves closure of accounts for the 2024 EU general budget and for the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds.
  3. Calls on the Commission to address rule of law deterioration in Hungary and other member states, including suspending funds where necessary.
  4. Urges the Commission to ensure transparency on final recipients of RRF funds, revise its guidance, and start infringement proceedings if needed.
  5. Notes the Court of Auditors' adverse opinion on expenditure legality for the sixth year, with an estimated error rate of 3.6% in 2024.
  6. Calls for stronger controls in cohesion policy, addressing weaknesses in member states' audit authorities and improving detection of errors.
  7. Demands action on the EU ETS Union Registry security weaknesses, including adequate resources and possible externalisation.
  8. Calls for increased transparency and audit access for defence spending, including full Court access and democratic scrutiny.
  9. Urges the Commission to address fraud and irregularities in agricultural funds, including the OPEKEPE case in Greece, and to improve controls.
  10. Calls for improved transparency and accountability in external action, including on budget support and aid to third countries.
  11. Expresses concern about the sale and leaseback of Commission buildings and calls for thorough impact assessments and independent evaluation.
  12. Calls for full implementation of transparency rules, including on text messages and access to documents, and for better whistleblower protection.

Who is affected

  • The Commission and its executive agencies receive discharge for 2024 budget implementation.
  • Member states, especially Hungary and Slovakia, face calls for stricter rule of law and fund suspension measures.
  • Beneficiaries of EU funds, including NGOs and companies, are subject to calls for more transparency and scrutiny.
  • The European Public Prosecutor's Office and OLAF are urged to receive adequate resources for fraud investigations.

Figures and deadlines

  • Error rate in 2024 expenditure estimated at 3.6%, down from 5.6% in 2023.
  • Outstanding Union bonds rose to EUR 578.2 billion at end of 2024, possibly reaching EUR 900 billion by 2027.
  • RRF grant payments reached EUR 55.9 billion in 2024, about half of the June 2023 forecast.
  • Total liabilities amounted to EUR 827.3 billion and assets to EUR 518.5 billion at end of 2024.
  • EU ETS generated EUR 43.6 billion in revenue in 2024.
  • Commission applied a financial correction of EUR 415 million for deficiencies in Greece's management and control system.
  • Estimated error rate for MFF heading 6 'Neighbourhood and the world' was 4.9% in 2024.
  • Estimated error rate for EDFs was 6.5% in 2024.

Legal basis: Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union