On Wednesday, plenary signed off the budgetary management by the European Commission, responsible for the majority of EU expenditure, with 389 votes to 255, with three abstentions. In a series of separate votes, Parliament also granted discharge to all EU bodies except the Council, because of its unwillingness to cooperate with MEPs.

Call for rule of law action

In the resolution accompanying the discharge decision on the Commission (adopted by 418 votes in favour, 207 against and 14 abstentions), MEPs point to ongoing rule of law backsliding, systemic corruption and attacks on fundamental rights in several member states that have a direct impact on the sound management of EU funds. To address these risks, MEPs want the Commission to move beyond monitoring and make full use of the instruments at its disposal, including the full suspension of EU funds.

No all-clear despite lower error rate

Welcoming a reduced error rate (the share of payments that was not made in full compliance…