Brussels, 18/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - The administrative budget of the European Parliament (EP) is expected to rise by 3.29% next year due to the financial impact of the European elections and the change-over of MEPs and their assistants in the subsequent transition period.
By adopting the report on 17 April by Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, Germany) on the estimates for revenue and expenditure for the 2014 tax year, the EP is talking about administrative spending in 2014 of around €1.80 billion, which corresponds to a net increase of 3.29% compared to the 2013 budget, of which 2.20% is required for compulsory spending resulting from legislative changes, 1.30% due to other legal obligations and 0.78% due to Croatia's accession. The EP explains that inflation will contribute to 1.9% of the increase, “which translates in a 2.89% decrease in real terms of the Parliament's budget compared to the 2013 level”. It is requesting, however, that “possible savings and further use of structural funds are sought during Parliament's 2013 autumn reading as part of the 2014 budgetary procedure and during the years to follow”.
The EP points out that “considerable savings could be made if Parliament had only one seat” and indicates that it wishes to raise this question during the negotiations on the 2014-2020 financial framework.
The EP highlights the fact that structural reforms (better journey management, reduction in the duration and number of missions, the increased use of video conferencing, reorganising translating and interpreting services) could, according to some estimates, help make annual savings of around €29 million. It takes note of the fact that a substantial reduction in spending relating to EP television (Europarl TV) has already been planned.
The EP also takes note of the fact that the opening of the European House of History is planned for 2015. It has also welcomed plans to freeze all allowances and expenses for MEPs until the end of 2014. (LC/transl.fl)