2023 discharge: General budget of the EU - Commission
Parliament checks how an EU institution or agency spent a past year’s budget and signs it off — or refuses to.
Where it stands: Completed: published in the Official Journal on 8 October 2025 and now EU law.
- ✓ Referred to committee 17 September 2024
- ✓ Committee work Report adopted 8 April 2025
- ✓ Tabled for plenary 23 April 2025
- ✓ Plenary vote Adopted 7 May 2025
- ✓ Parliament’s position Final
How a file moves through Parliament
A file is referred to one lead committee (others may give an opinion). Its rapporteur writes a draft report, committee members table amendments, and the committee votes to adopt the report. The report is then tabled for all MEPs; political groups can table further amendments, which are voted on before the final vote in plenary. The adopted resolution is Parliament’s final position; it is not itself law.
Who is working on it
- Lead committee
- CONT — Budgetary Control
- Rapporteur
- Niclas HERBST PPE
- Shadow rapporteurs
- José CEPEDA S&DTamás DEUTSCH PfEJoachim Stanisław BRUDZIŃSKI ECROlivier CHASTEL RenewDaniel FREUND Verts/ALEPasquale TRIDICO The LeftAlexander JUNGBLUTH ESN
- For opinion
- ITRE — Industry, Research and Energy JURI — Legal Affairs SANT — Public Health IMCO — Internal Market and Consumer Protection AFET — Foreign Affairs · rapporteur Michael GAHLER PPEECON — Economic and Monetary Affairs SEDE — Security and Defence BUDG — Budgets ENVI — Environment, Climate and Food Safety · rapporteur MEP #257122 S&DDEVE — Development · rapporteur Charles GOERENS RenewINTA — International Trade EMPL — Employment and Social Affairs · rapporteur Romana TOMC PPEPECH — Fisheries FEMM — Women’s Rights and Gender Equality · rapporteur Lina GÁLVEZ S&DAFCO — Constitutional Affairs LIBE — Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · rapporteur Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ PPETRAN — Transport and Tourism · rapporteur Gheorghe FALCĂ PPEREGI — Regional Development · rapporteur Ľubica KARVAŠOVÁ RenewAGRI — Agriculture and Rural Development · rapporteur Veronika VRECIONOVÁ ECRCULT — Culture and Education · rapporteur Nela RIEHL Verts/ALE
The rapporteur drafts and negotiates the text for the lead committee; each other political group names a shadow rapporteur to follow the file.
The text, version by version
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament: Parliament adds new provisions on institutional integrity, foreign interference, and the European Public Prosecutor's Office, and on the 'Rearm EU' initiative and Russia as a State sponsor of terrorism. It adds new paragraphs on transparency of EU funding, including calls for additional resources for the Transparency Register secretariat and for implementing Court of Auditors recommendations on NGOs. It adds a paragraph on an investigation involving the former Commissioner for Justice and calls for cooperation with Belgian authorities. It adds 'anti-Christian' to the list of movements whose views are opposed to EU fundamental values. The other changes are formal or wording: updated titles and citations, expanded abbreviations, corrected punctuation and decimal separators, and rephrased passages. see the changes →
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary: The main change is that Parliament postpones discharge decisions for the Commission, agencies, and EDFs for 2023 instead of granting them. The resolution adds strong concerns about error rates, debt, and rule of law, and calls for action plans and stricter controls. The resolution adds new sections on RRF transparency, double funding, and fraud detection, with calls for automated cross-checking and public databases. The resolution adds paragraphs on external action, including IPA III, UNRWA, and Global Gateway, with calls for transparency and conditionality. The other changes are formal or wording updates, such as renumbering and minor rephrasing. see the changes →
Committee opinions: Draft opinion (CULT),Opinion (REGI),Opinion (ENVI),Draft opinion (REGI),Draft opinion (AFET),Draft opinion (EMPL),Opinion (AFET),Draft opinion (LIBE),Opinion (CULT),Opinion (DEVE),Draft opinion (FEMM),Opinion (FEMM),Draft opinion (TRAN),Draft opinion (DEVE),Draft opinion (ENVI),Opinion (TRAN),Opinion (EMPL),Opinion (LIBE)
Newest version first. Open a version to read it in full. “What changed” shows the differences paragraph by paragraph; ✦ lines are AI-written from the texts themselves.
Timeline
- Outcome
- 8 October 2025 Published in the Official Journal
The act is now EU law.
- Plenary stage
- 7 May 2025 Plenary voteAdopted Adopted by a large majorityFor 412 Against 245 Abstained 5
Final vote at 13:24 · 62% of votes cast in favour · every MEP’s position →
Show all 120 ballots in voting order
Adopted2. Proposals for decisionsAdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected4. Amendment 54, adding text after paragraph 1 13:24 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 1 – Am 54Rejected5. Amendment 55, adding text after paragraph 1 13:24 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 1 – Am 55RejectedRejected7. Amendment 38, adding text after paragraph 3 13:25 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 3 – Am 38Rejected8. Amendment 39, adding text after paragraph 3 13:25 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 3 – Am 39Rejected9. Amendment 57, adding text after paragraph 3 13:25 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 3 – Am 57Rejected10. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 3RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded11. Amendment 59, adding text after paragraph 3 13:25 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 3 – Am 59RejectedRejected13. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 9RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded14. Separate vote on paragraph 10AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded15. Amendment 4, adding text after paragraph 10 13:26 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 10 – Am 4Rejected16. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 10RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded17. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 10RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded18. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 10RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded19. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 12RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected21. Amendment 5, adding text after paragraph 13 13:26 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 13 – Am 5Rejected22. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 13RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejectedAdopted25. Separate vote on paragraph 16Not put to a vote, because an earlier vote already settled the matter.A vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded26. Separate vote on paragraph 16Not put to a vote, because an earlier vote already settled the matter.A vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded27. Separate vote on paragraph 16Not put to a vote, because an earlier vote already settled the matter.A vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded28. Amendment 66, adding text after paragraph 16 13:27 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 16 – Am 66Rejected29. Amendment 40, adding text after paragraph 16 13:27 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 16 – Am 40Rejected30. Amendment 1, adding text after paragraph 17 13:27 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 17 – Am 1Adopted31. Amendment 67, adding text after paragraph 17 13:27 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 17 – Am 67RejectedRejected33. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 18Rejectedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded34. Amendment 41, adding text after paragraph 18 13:28 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 18 – Am 41Rejected35. Amendment 42, adding text after paragraph 18 13:28 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 18 – Am 42Rejected36. Amendment 43, adding text after paragraph 18 13:28 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 18 – Am 43Rejected37. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 20Adoptedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded38. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 20AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded39. Amendment 18, adding text after paragraph 21 13:29 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 21 – Am 18Rejected40. Amendment 69, adding text after paragraph 21 13:29 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 21 – Am 69Rejected41. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 27RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded42. Amendment 49, adding text after paragraph 38 13:29 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 38 – Am 49Rejected43. Amendment 50, adding text after paragraph 38 13:29 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 38 – Am 50Rejected44. Amendment 71, adding text after paragraph 38 13:30 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 38 – Am 71RejectedRejected46. Amendment 6, adding text after paragraph 46 13:30 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 46 – Am 6Rejected47. Amendment 37, adding text after paragraph 46 13:30 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 46 – Am 37Adopted48. Separate vote on paragraph 49, after point iiiRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded49. Separate vote on paragraph 49, after point ixRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded50. Amendment 74 to paragraph 49, after point xii 13:30 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 49, after point xii – Am 74Rejected51. Separate vote on paragraph 54RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected53. Amendment 75, adding text after paragraph 55 13:31 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 55 – Am 75Rejected54. Amendment 51, adding text after paragraph 57 13:31 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 57 – Am 51Rejected55. Amendment 44, adding text after paragraph 70 13:31 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 70 – Am 44Rejected56. Amendment 76 to paragraph 73, after point iii 13:31 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 73, after point iii – Am 76RejectedAdopted58. Separate vote on paragraph 88AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded59. Separate vote on paragraph 88AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded60. Separate vote on paragraph 88AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded61. Separate vote on paragraph 88AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded62. Separate vote on paragraph 89AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded63. Separate vote on paragraph 90AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected65. Amendment 77 to paragraph 100, after point viii 13:32 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 100, after point viii – Am 77Rejected66. Separate vote on paragraph 100, point ixAdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded67. Separate vote on paragraph 100, after point ixRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected69. Amendment 45, adding text after paragraph 108 13:33 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 108 – Am 45Rejected70. Separate vote on paragraph 117Rejectedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded71. Separate vote on paragraph 117AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded72. Amendment 52, adding text after paragraph 124 13:33 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 124 – Am 52Rejected73. Separate vote on paragraph 130AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded74. Separate vote on paragraph 130AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded75. Separate vote on paragraph 130AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recordedRejected77. Separate vote on paragraph 131AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded78. Separate vote on paragraph 131Adoptedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded79. Separate vote on paragraph 131AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded80. Separate vote on paragraph 131AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded81. Separate vote on paragraph 131AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded82. Amendment 25, adding text after paragraph 131 13:34 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 131 – Am 25Rejected83. Amendment 46, adding text after paragraph 131 13:35 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 131 – Am 46Rejected84. Amendment 47, adding text after paragraph 131 13:35 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 131 – Am 47Rejected85. Amendment 79, adding text after paragraph 131 13:35 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 131 – Am 79Rejected86. Separate vote on paragraph 133RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded87. Separate vote on paragraph 134, point iiiRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded88. Separate vote on paragraph 134, after point iiiRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded89. Separate vote on paragraph 134, point vAdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded90. Separate vote on paragraph 134, after point vRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded91. Amendment 8, adding text after paragraph 143 13:35 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 143 – Am 8Adopted92. Amendment 27, adding text after paragraph 143 13:36 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 143 – Am 27Adopted93. Separate vote on paragraph 144, after point ivRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded94. Amendment 48, adding text after paragraph 145 13:36 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 145 – Am 48Rejected95. Separate vote on paragraph 152RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded96. Separate vote on paragraph 152AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded97. Amendment 30, adding text after paragraph 152 13:36 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 152 – Am 30Rejected98. Amendment 83, adding text after paragraph 152 13:36 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 152 – Am 83Rejected99. Separate vote on paragraph 153RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded100. Separate vote on paragraph 154Adoptedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded101. Separate vote on paragraph 155AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded102. Separate vote on paragraph 156AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded103. Separate vote on paragraph 170RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded104. Amendment 85 to paragraph 171, after point vi 13:37 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 171, after point vi – Am 85Rejected105. Amendment 86 to paragraph 171, after point vi 13:37 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 171, after point vi – Am 86Rejected106. Separate vote on paragraph 172, after point iiiRejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded107. Amendment 88, adding text after paragraph 179 13:38 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 179 – Am 88Rejected108. Amendment 91, adding text after paragraph 183 13:38 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 183 – Am 91Rejected109. Separate vote on paragraph 184RejectedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded110. Amendment 32, adding text after paragraph 185 13:38 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 185 – Am 32Adopted111. Amendment 33, adding text after paragraph 186 13:38 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 186 – Am 33Rejected112. Separate vote on paragraph 188AdoptedA vote by raised hands. Only the outcome is recorded, not who voted how. — no individual positions recorded113. Vote on text inserted after paragraph 224Rejectedelectronic vote (totals only) — no individual positions recorded114. Amendment 34, adding text after paragraph 224 13:39 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 224 – Am 34Rejected115. Amendment 9, adding text after paragraph 236 13:39 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 236 – Am 9Rejected116. Amendment 35, adding text after paragraph 250 13:39 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 250 – Am 35Rejected117. Amendment 36, adding text after paragraph 251 13:39 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – After § 251 – Am 36Rejected118. Amendment 89 to paragraph 252, after point xiii 13:40 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 252, after point xiii – Am 89Rejected119. Amendment 90 to paragraph 252, after point xv 13:40 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – § 252, after point xv – Am 90Rejected120. Final vote — text as a whole 13:40 A10-0074/2025 – Niclas Herbst – Motion for a resolution (as a whole)Adopted - 6 May 2025 Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
Sitting of 6 May 2025 📄 Council / Commission text C10-0067/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0068/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0069/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0070/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0071/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0072/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0073/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0074/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0075/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0076/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0077/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0078/2024📄 Council / Commission text C10-0079/2024📄 Report A10-0046/2025📄 Report A10-0047/2025📄 Report A10-0050/2025📄 Report A10-0051/2025📄 Report A10-0052/2025📄 Report A10-0053/2025📄 Report A10-0054/2025📄 Report A10-0055/2025📄 Report A10-0056/2025📄 Report A10-0062/2025📄 Report A10-0065/2025📄 Report A10-0069/2025📄 Report A10-0074/2025 - 29 April – 30 April 2025 91 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
- 23 April 2025 Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
- Committee stage
- 8 April 2025 Committee vote: report adopted
CONT (Budgetary Control) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
- 27 February 2025 Amendments tabled in committee (2 batches)
Members of CONT (Budgetary Control) proposed changes to the draft.
- 18 February 2025 ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 18 February 2025 FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 18 February 2025 DEVE (Development) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 6 February 2025 LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 30 January 2025 CULT (Culture and Education) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 30 January 2025 AFET (Foreign Affairs) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 29 January 2025 TRAN (Transport and Tourism) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 29 January 2025 Committee opinion adopted
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 28 January 2025 REGI (Regional Development) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 28 January 2025 EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
- 16 January 2025 Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in CONT (Budgetary Control). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
- 12 December 2024 Draft opinion from DEVE (Development)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 22 November 2024 Draft opinion from AFET (Foreign Affairs)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 15 November 2024 Draft opinion from CULT (Culture and Education)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 14 November 2024 Draft opinion from FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 14 November 2024 Draft opinion from TRAN (Transport and Tourism)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 13 November 2024 Draft opinion from LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 12 November 2024 Draft opinion from REGI (Regional Development)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 7 November 2024 Draft opinion from ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 24 October 2024 Draft opinion from EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs)
An associated committee gives its view to the lead committee.
- 17 September 2024 Referred to the CONT (Budgetary Control) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; ITRE (Industry, Research and Energy), JURI (Legal Affairs), SANT (Public Health), IMCO (Internal Market and Consumer Protection), AFET (Foreign Affairs), ECON (Economic and Monetary Affairs), SEDE (Security and Defence), BUDG (Budgets), ENVI (Environment, Climate and Food Safety), DEVE (Development), INTA (International Trade), EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs), PECH (Fisheries), FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality), AFCO (Constitutional Affairs), LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs), TRAN (Transport and Tourism), REGI (Regional Development), AGRI (Agriculture and Rural Development), CULT (Culture and Education) give an opinion.