Amending budget 1/2010: other sections, European Parliament, estimates of revenue and expenditure

The European Parliament adopted by 430 votes to 117, with 58 abstentions, a resolution on the estimates of revenue and expenditure for Amending Budget 1/2010 (Section I, European Parliament).

To recall, it was agreed, during the 2010 budget procedure, that any expenditure related specifically to the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community would be dealt with, if necessary, through existing budgetary instruments, such as an amending budget, after the adoption of the original 2010 budget. It was emphasised that, in such a case and to the fullest possible extent, reorganisation of existing resources should be fully examined before any call for additional resources was made.

Given that the Parliament’s current budget does not include any possible adaptations in the light of the Treaty of Lisbon, particularly in the legislative area, it is now proposed to provide a formal amending budget to finance this new type of expenditure.

Parliament recalls that this amending budget is fully in line with the agreement that any additional needs following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon would be dealt with separately through existing budgetary instruments. It notes that the overall level of the budget as proposed by the Bureau would amount to EUR 1 620 760 399, representing 20.04% of the original heading 5. It also notes, given the context set out above and the total volume of the budget, that the long-standing self-imposed limit of 20% has been surpassed by 0.04% or EUR 3.2 million in the Bureau's proposal.

It considers that the current 20% basis for heading 5 is now more restrictive compared to the previous situation as it will have to cover expenditure not foreseen in the self-imposed declaration of 1988. It recalls that since 2006 Parliament has included expenditure relating to:

• the Members' Statute (generating savings for Member States),
• the Assistants' Statute,
• its new role following the Lisbon Treaty,
• its expanded buildings policy to accommodate its overall needs, including enlargements.

Overall, Parliament considers that the overall reference for its budget should continue to be the original multiannual programming of the MFF in order to ensure that its interests are safeguarded while, at the same time, maintaining budgetary discipline. It states that its expenditure should remain within the traditional 20% limit, as an indicative reference. It considers that, on a total volume of over EUR 1.6 billion, it should be possible to keep within 20% while fully respecting the additional needs set out in the Bureau's proposal. However, technically, this would mean a reduction to the overall budget of an amount of EUR 4 million. Members therefore call on the Parliament to decide to make such an adjustment, without touching the elements contained in the Bureau's proposal, by reducing the buildings reserve from EUR 15 million to EUR 11 million. This will take the overall level of the budget to EUR 1 616 760 399, representing 19.99% of heading 5. They also insist on the need for long-term planning of its building policy.

Members also highlight:

• the need to take actions aiming to secure budgetary sustainability in future years;
• the importance of the elaboration of a zero-based budget policy that will ensure further rigour and transparency;
• the need for clear information, as soon as possible, on the overall amount of fixed expenditure within the EP budget, as referred to in the European Parliament resolution of 22 October 2009 on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2010 (see BUD/2009/2002B);
• the need to emphasise legislative excellence as Parliament's priority and the need to provide the Members, committees and political groups with the necessary means to achieve it.

Lastly, Parliament adopts the draft estimates for the amending budget 1/2010.