EP budget 2012
MEPs lack will for real budgetary savings
The European Parliament today adopted a report setting out the estimates for its budget for 2012. While the Greens welcomed MEPs' support for trimming back the originally proposed budget, the group criticised the majority of MEPs for opposing amendments aimed at freezing MEP allowances in 2012 and ending business class flights for MEPs for flights of less than 4 hours. Speaking after the vote, Green budgetary spokesperson Helga Trüpel said:
"Against the background of austerity and budgetary cutbacks in EU member states, it would be wrongheaded and irresponsible to propose significant increases to the EP's budget. To this end, we welcome that MEPs today voted to trim the European Parliament's 2012 budget estimates below the rate of inflation. MEPs thankfully also rejected a proposal to divert unused funds for spending on buildings.
"However, we regret that MEPs lacked the will to introduce real savings. Rather than leading by example and exercising restraint on their own allowances, a majority of MEPs wants to keep their heads in the sand. We seriously regret that Green supported amendments aimed at freezing MEP allowances for 2012 were rejected by the majority.
"The Greens also regret the failure to support an amendment aimed at ending business class flights for MEPs for flights of less than 4 hours. This small but simple measure could have saved € millions per year. The failure to support it reflects the divorce from budgetary reality of many MEPs in this house."
