Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Change 9 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed19. Recalls that, in accordance with Articles 1.3.2, 2.7.1 and 2.7.2 of the Rules on the use of appropriations from budget item 400, the former political group Identity & Democracy (ID Group) submitted its final financial report on 8 October 2024 covering the period from 1 January to 15 July 2024; recalls that the Parliament’s administration received the ID Group’s full financial archive in both electronic and paper format and conducted a risk-based ex postex-post verification of the 2024 accounts, focusing on consistency checks and sample testing of high-risk contracts and donations; recalls the findings of Parliament’s administration that at least EUR 4 333 635,78 of budget item 400 appropriations were unduly spent by the group over the 2019-2024 term, exposing Parliament to a significant financial and reputational risk; shortcomings in the public procurement procedures were identified, and represent significant reputational risks for Parliament and for all political groups and Members;Parliament;

Change 10 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed20. Notes that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced in July 2025 that it had opened an investigation into the alleged misuse of Union funds by the ID Group between 2019 and 2024;

Change 11 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed21. Stresses that Parliament’s administration has transmitted the case file and cooperates fully with the EPPO’s investigation; notes that the Bureau wishesawaits to know the outcome of the EPPO’s investigation before taking any recovery action; considerscalls thatupon the Bureau to provide Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control a written update on the state of play before the next discharge cycle starts; calls on Parliament’s administration mayto take,take all the necessary measures parallel to the EPPO’s criminal investigation, administrative interim protective measures (including precautionary set-offs and/or reserves, where legally feasible) to protect the Union’s financial interests and Parliament’s reputation; considers itthat, according to Article 3(3) of utmostthe importanceWorking thatArrangement recoverybetween actionsthe areEuropean startedParliament asand soonthe asEuropean possible,Public Prosecutor's Office, the EPPO will inform Parliament about ongoing or closed investigations in fullwhich complianceParliament withappears Articleto 3(3)be ofin a position to take precautionary measures to protect the Workingfinancial Arrangementinterests betweenof the EuropeanUnion Parliamentincluding anddisciplinary procedures or recovery procedures within the Europeanapplicable Publictime Prosecutor'slimits; Office;notes that criminal proceedings should not be automatically used as a generalised justification for possible inaction;

Change 12 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed22. Calls on the Bureau to reinforceensure that the external auditors fully comply with the letter of engagement, and to ensure, for future audits, adequate oversight by external auditors for groups by making more hours available for external auditors to perform their oversight role,role; calls on DG FINS to provideensure cleareradequate guidancestaffing fromwithin DG FINS responsible for budget item 400 to provide clearer guidance on the correct interpretation of rules for budget item 400 to avoid discrepancy between considerations of external auditors and DG FINS, in full respect of the auditors’ independence, in particular as regards procurement, and for DG FINS to provide more training and support on procurement to groups;

Change 13 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed23. Notes that political groups have substantial autonomy over their IT services, which are used to store politically sensitive information; notes that, in a geopolitically turbulent world, such data should be stored on European servers by European providers to avoid external dependencies and risks; welcomes therefore the recent announcement to deliver a secure, sovereign cloud infrastructure to eliminate this dependency;

Added23. Calls on the Secretary-General to launch a reflection on the external audit system in place for budget item 400;

Removed24. Emphasises the importance of maintaining institutional integrity and preventing undue interference; condemns any improper attempt to influence the legislative activities of Parliament;

Added24. Welcomes the use of Parliament as a platform for raising awareness of gender-based violence and domestic violence, stresses the importance of the Union’s and Parliament’s missions contributing to the promotion of gender equality, including those that provide support, protection, and essential services to women and girls who are victims of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations;

Removed25. Recalls that allegations of Russian influence in Parliament posed serious risks to democratic integrity, noting that some Members openly supported Russia while engaging in potentially linked side activities, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards;

Added25. Recalls the Opinion of Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control for the Bureau on the political group Identity and Democracy - Dissolution and final financial report 2024, as approved on 4 September 2025, calling to explore the possibility of opening without delay the required procedures with a view to recover the amount of ineligible expenditure as soon as possible, to assess the potential liabilities of the responsible (former) Members and hierarchy for intentional or gross-negligent authorisation of irregular expenditure; recommends to the Bureau to suspend, for the duration of the enquiry, the external auditor who certified the ID Group’s accounts from the list of approved external auditing companies made available to political groups, replacing the suspended auditor immediately and ensuring that a sufficient number of alternative options are available to the political groups; awaits the Parliament administration’s analysis of the 2024 accounts of the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group;

Change 14 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed33.43. Commends DG PRES for its activities concerning the implementation and follow-up of the new rules on integrity and transparency which included a first overall assessment of the technical implementation of the reform, and awareness-raising activities and provision of technical expertise and services on transparency, integrity and accountability issues; further welcomes the role of the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members in monitoring how Members comply with the Code of Conduct and its implementing measures;

Change 15 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed34.44. Calls for the continuation and strengthening of interinstitutional cooperation and dialogue on integrity, transparency,integrity and ethical standardstransparency, within the Union institutions;

Change 16 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed35. Highlights the persistent delays in the Commission’s handling of Parliamentary questions for written answer in recent years; regrets that the process has become increasingly bureaucratic and slow, resulting in systematic lack of respect for the deadlines laid down in Rule 144 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; stresses that the longest reply time was 475 days; welcomes the efforts made by DG PRES in recent years; calls upon DG PRES to work on their internal services and ensure full compliance with the deadlines established by Parliament and restore the Parliamentary questions for written answers system as an effective oversight instrument;

Added45. Welcomes that DG PRES continued its effective cooperation with the Council and Commission on all elements concerning the interinstitutional secretariat of the transparency register, with a view to continuing to keep enhancing the operation of the Register;

Added46. Highlights the persistent delays in the Commission’s handling of Parliamentary questions for written answers in recent years; regrets that the process has become increasingly bureaucratic and slow, resulting in systematic lack of respect for the deadlines laid down in Rule 144 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; notes with concern that in 2024 the Commission replied within the deadlines set in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure to only a limited proportion of written questions, including a particularly low rate for priority questions, and in many cases after the deadline; stresses that the longest reply time was 475 days; recalls that timely replies are an essential element of parliamentary scrutiny and democratic accountability; welcomes the efforts made by DG PRES in recent years to meet the deadlines set; calls upon DG PRES to work to ensure full compliance with the deadlines set by Parliament and to pursue, including at political level, more binding arrangements with the Commission on replying to written questions within the deadlines and to report to the discharge authority on the progress that is made, with the aim of restoring Parliamentary questions for written answers as an effective oversight instrument;

Added47. Notes that internal processing, including editing, translation and admissibility checks, contributes to the overall transmission time of written questions; calls on the administration to continue streamlining these procedures, while fully respecting linguistic quality and data protection requirements, in order to support Members’ scrutiny work more effectively;

Change 17 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added49. Welcomes that Parliament recently initiated the legislative procedure to amend the Union electoral law in order to introduce a new temporary proxy voting option for Members during late pregnancy and early motherhood; welcomes that, with its vote on 13 November 2025 in plenary, Parliament committed to gender equality, inclusivity and work-life balance despite the fact that broader parental leave is not covered by the act;

Added50. Notes that up-to-date attendance data at Committee level is currently unavailable; calls on the Parliament’s services to publish these attendance figures at Committee level annually aggregated per Committee;

Change 18 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed42. Notes 14 Europa Experience centres were open in 2024, attracting a total number of 957 209 visitors, with widely ranging visitor numbers, with Strasbourg (381 687) and Berlin (122 672) attracting the largest numbers of visitors, and Copenhagen (18 182) and Dublin (8 312) the lowest; notes the remark that Europa Experience centres are used as an EU hub for democratic engagement by EPLOs in the respective Member States that offer opportunities to attract a wider audience for Parliament’s messages;

Added56. Calls for adequate monitoring of expenditure of the EPLOs and Europa Experience Centres;

Added57. Emphasises the critical role of the EPLO in Washington for fostering transatlantic relations and enhancing the connection between the US and Union parliaments; highlights that, in light of the new US administration and emerging global challenges, the role of the EPLO in Washington is even more crucial; calls for an adequate budget and staffing to support the EPLO’s activities in Washington;

Added58. Notes 14 Europa Experience centres were open in 2024, attracting a total number of 957 209 visitors, with a wide range of visitor numbers, with Strasbourg (381 687) and Berlin (122 672) attracting the highest numbers of visitors, and Copenhagen (18 182) and Dublin (8 312) the lowest, however the Dublin centre only opened in October 2024; notes the remark that Europa Experience centres are used as a Union hub for democratic engagement by EPLOs in the respective Member States and that they offer opportunities to attract a wider audience for Parliament’s messages;

Change 19 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed44.60. Recalls that new rules on payment of subsidies for sponsored visitor groups were adopted by the Bureau on 11 September 2023, with an entry into force date of 1 January 2024; notes that in 2024, 300 000 sponsored and non-sponsored visitors were invited by Members in Brussels and Strasbourg; notes that subsidies for such visitors’ groups amounted to 17 % of DG COMM’s expenditure in 2024; considersnotes thatthe additional efforts are implemented by political groups which also supportsupporting their Members in the activitiesinteracting attractingwith citizens, and especiallyincluding young people, in order to beensure informedan adequate information about Members’ work in Strasbourg and Brussels with the financing from funds under budget item 400;

Change 20 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed48.64. Welcomes that, in 2024, DG PERS continued to organise competitions and selection processes,procedures, handling an increasing pool of applicants, and it also organised four nationality-specific competitions; welcomes the efforts made by DG PERS to organise competitions, ensuring their timely completion and maintaining the necessary quality standards; welcomes that over 441 candidates were successfully shortlisted on reserve lists; regrets however that the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has encountered systematic issues with the organisation of competitions and the lack of an available pool of candidates suited forto Parliament’s needs; regrets that the average duration between publication of the notice of competition and the final interview for each competition, is more than a year; acknowledges the general difficulties encountered by DG PERS and other directorates-general in attracting and retaining talent, which has an impact on the performance of Parliament’s workforce; calls for more efficient, better targeted and shorter selection procedures that would result in increasing the attractiveness of Parliament as an employer and allow the directorates-general to speedily recruit the specialist profiles needed to support their work; stresses that selection procedures must be conducted in full respect of the principles of equal treatment and geographical balance, ensuring fair representation of all Member States;

Change 21 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed49. Welcomes Parliament’s nationality-specific competitions with the aim of improving the geographical balance of Parliament’s staff members by offering a wider pool of candidates from underrepresented Member States; regrets the lack of geographical balance within Parliament’s senior and middle management; insists that improvements are needed and asks the Secretary-General to report back on the progress achieved in correcting the geographical imbalance within Parliament’s staff to the discharge authority;

Added65. Welcomes Parliament's nationality-specific competitions with a view to improving the geographical balance among Parliament's staff by creating a wider pool of candidates from under-represented Member States; notes, however, that an analysis of data on Parliament staff by nationality and function group reveals a persistent imbalance in career progression, whereby staff from certain Member States, although well represented in the administration, remain under-represented in senior function groups and in decision-making positions; regrets the geographical imbalance in Parliament's senior and middle management; recruitment shall always be based on merit and should always respect fundamental principles such as equality, non-discrimination and proportionality; emphasises that improvement is needed, and calls on the Secretary-General, in cooperation with DG PERS, to present concrete, measurable and time-bound measures to address these imbalances and to report regularly to Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control and the discharge authority on the progress achieved in correcting the geographical imbalance within Parliament’s staff; calls on the Secretary-General and DG PERS to include in the regular reporting to the Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control information beyond the overall staff count and include data on, in particular, career development and promotions by nationality and function group, the appointment of management and senior positions, participation in talent management and leadership programmes and the use of temporary appointments and duties as part of career development paths;

Change 22 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed51.67. Acknowledges that the work of APAs is an integral part of the work of Members and therefore of Parliament; notes that following the adoption of the APA statute in 2009, their status over the years has been protected by the rules; notes the efforts made by Parliament to create a framework for providing support to APAs; calls for due adherence to the rules in place; notes, that since then, APAs participate in official missions to Parliament’s three places of work; welcomes that the rules concerning the reimbursement of APA’s missions between the three place of work have been aligned with those applicable to officials, ensuring equality of treatment for APAs; calls on the Bureau and on Parliament’s administration to formally consult the APA Committee on revisions and reforms that directly impact the rights of APAs; calls on Parliament's administration to explore the feasibility of introducing a notice period within APA's contracts in the event of the unexpected departure of a Member; reiterates its call on the Conference of Presidents and the Bureau to revise the implementing provisions governing the work of delegations and missions outside the Union; underlines that such a revision should consider the possibility for APAs, subject to certain conditions, to accompany Members on official Parliament delegations and missions; highlights that this change would not result in any change to the envelope and would be budget neutral;

Change 23 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed52. Notes with great concern the reports of a data breach centered on Parliament’s recruitment application PEOPLE, affecting mainly non-permanent members of Parliament staff, including APAs, and the long delay between the breach and the information and compensation to the data subjects of the breach; regrets that the data breach involved ID card details, birth certificates, diplomas, employment history, medical records, rights to entitlements, insurance and documents related to proof of work dating back for up to 10 years; welcomes the reimbursement scheme that the Secretary-General introduced, in line with Parliament’s duty of care, to cover the costs of replacing ID cards and/or passports of affected PEOPLE application users, with EUR 51 874 paid to date; regrets that the cost of the travel to the country of origin for these administrative procedures was not covered; considers that the administration has not provided a clear analysis to the discharge authority of the reasons for the breach, the measures taken to recover the system concerned, or the measures taken to prevent a similar breach from happening again;

Added68. Recalls that APAs cannot participate in Parliament’s internal competitions; invites the Bureau to explore the possibility of allowing APAs, under yet to be determined conditions, to participate in internal competitions in a similar way toParliament’s staff; stresses that stronger involvement of APAs in the internal structures of Parliament could lead to more inclusive, diverse and geographically balanced workforce; highlights the importance of knowledge retention and transfer within Parliament in relation to the internal working methods;

Added69. Notes with great concern the reports of a data breach centred on Parliament’s recruitment application PEOPLE, affecting mainly non-permanent members of Parliament staff, including APAs; regrets that the data breach involved ID card details, birth certificates, diplomas, employment history, medical records, rights to entitlements, insurance and documents related to proof of work dating back 10 years in some cases; welcomes the reimbursement scheme that the Secretary-General introduced, in line with Parliament’s duty of care, to cover the costs of replacing ID cards and/or passports of affected PEOPLE application users, with EUR 51 874 paid to date; regrets that the cost of the travel to the country of origin for these administrative procedures was not covered; calls on the administration to ensure that support measures are effective and equitable, including clear one-stop guidance, identity-protection support and reimbursement that does not leave affected persons bearing unavoidable administrative costs linked to document replacement procedures; notes that the administration provided its analysis of the reasons for the breach to the discharge authority; calls on the administration to provide to the affected staff, including former members of staff, a clear analysis of the reasons for the breach and the measures taken to recover the system concerned; is fully aware that Parliament will remain a target for cyber-attacks in the future and that utmost vigilance is essential; welcomes the measures taken by the administration to further reinforce the cyber-security maturity and governance of its IT environment;

Change 24 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed55.72. Welcomes the adoption of a common inter-institutional decision regarding a housing allowance for lower-grade staff living in Luxembourg; considers it a necessary instrument to support lower-grade staff to balance the disproportionately high housing costs, as well as a necessary tool to increase the attractiveness of theParliament’s Luxembourg sitesite; ofnotes that the Parliament;instrument is temporary and calls on Parliament to ensure long-term predictability for the staff concerned;

Change 25 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed56.73. Recalls the launch of the Parliament wide anti-harassment campaign ‘United against Harassment’ on 22 October 2024, contributing to a safe work environment; welcomes thatthat, in addition to the information campaign, the training course ‘Respect and dignity at work - Preventing conflict and harassment in the workplace’ for Members was mandatory and completed by Members in the first year of the legislature; highlights that the effectiveness of these measures should be evaluated;

Change 26 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed57.74. Welcomes the possibility for members of staff to telework away from abroadthe place of employment; notes that Parliament’s members of staff can use this form of telework for five days per year; notes that other Union institutions on average provide for 15 days per year; calls for a proactive monitoring and evaluation of the new ways of working; recalls the importance of a genuine dialogue with members of staff on crucial matters related to new ways of working;

Change 27 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added75. Stresses that quality childcare services provided to the Members and staff are crucial measures to ensure the effective implementation of the work-life balance policy; draws attention to the fact that quality of the services provided by the Wayenberg childcare facility in Brussels for pre-school age children has been suffering in quality due to the frequent change of service provider since 2020; calls in this respect to consider the need to adopt high-quality standards;

Added76. Recalls Parliament's recommendation to the Commission in European Parliament resolution of 18 April 2018 on the integrity policy of the Commission, in particular the appointment of the Secretary-General of the European Commission (2018/2624(RSP)) ‘to review its administrative procedure for the appointment of senior officials with the objective of fully ensuring that the best candidates are selected within a framework of maximum transparency and equal opportunities’; is of the opinion that Parliament, with regard to appointment procedures, should always meet the highest standards in terms of transparency, accountability and good administration;

Added77. Invites Parliament to optimise the use of its human resources, including through the implementation of appropriate ongoing training measures, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of internal services; calls on providing first aid training at beginner and intermediate level regularly, as well as making first aid training a voluntary part of the onboarding program for new staff; calls on the administration to explore the possibility of installing additional defibrillators in view of enhancing health and safety for Members and staff, including the provision of training;

Change 28 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed59.79. Notes that DG INLO’s final appropriations amounted to EUR 258 638 966 in 2024, representing 10,9 % of Parliament’s budget; highlights that, of that amount, a total of EUR 256 935 431 was committed; welcomesnotes the high use of appropriations;

Change 29 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed60. Welcomes that, in 2024, the administration implemented Parliament’s ‘Building Strategy Beyond 2019’, and achieved its main objectives; notes that DG INLO, after years of expansion brought on by the growth of Parliament’s institutional powers, now concentrates on the consolidation of Parliament’s building stock and renovation of existing premises; welcomes DG INLO’s commitment to further developing Parliament’s role in the cities of Strasbourg, Brussels, and Luxembourg, fostering projects of common interest, and connecting the sites to the surrounding areas;

Added80. Recalls the support expressed by the vast majority of Parliament for a single seat; notes that according to the TEU, Parliament shall have its seat in Strasbourg, where the 12 periods of monthly plenary sessions shall be held and that any change to the Treaties requires the unanimity of the Member States; notes that within the current Treaty framework through the optimisation of operations savings can be attained; calls for the establishment of concrete milestones and an action plan for achieving identified cost-reductions;

Removed61. Notes with concern the persistent shortage of meeting and seminar rooms within Parliament, which makes booking spaces increasingly difficult and requires planning far in advance; regrets that this situation hinders the efficient organisation of parliamentary work and limits flexibility for Members and members of staff; expresses concern that the upcoming renovation of the SPAAK building, while necessary, will exacerbate the existing room shortage; calls on Parliament’s administration to implement measures to mitigate the impact of the renovation and to ensure that sufficient facilities are available to support Parliament’s operational needs;

Added81. Encourages the administration to continue to assess the quality, pricing and range of catering services offered within Parliament, with a view to ensuring that procurement criteria adequately balance price and quality considerations; invites DG INLO to explore options to enhance competition among catering service providers in order to improve service standards, choice and cost-effectiveness, particularly in the context of official events and visitors’ services; calls on Parliament’s administration to report back to Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control on the outcome;

Removed62. Takes note of building projects in 2024, and in particular, the completion of the West Wing of the ADENAUER II building in Luxembourg, bringing all Parliament’s members of staff and services together under the same roof; notes that the new security and visitors’ reception pavilion in the WEISS building in Strasbourg was completed in time for the start of the new legislature in July 2024; notes the acquisition of the TRÈVES II building in Brussels, further consolidating Parliament’s stock of buildings in the city’s European quarter;

Added82. Welcomes that, in 2024, the administration implemented Parliament’s ‘Building Strategy Beyond 2019’, and achieved its main objectives; notes with satisfaction that DG INLO, after years of expansion brought on by the growth of Parliament’s institutional powers, now concentrates on the consolidation of Parliament’s building stock and renovation of existing premises, welcomes DG INLO’s commitment to further developing Parliament’s role in the cities of Strasbourg, Brussels, and Luxembourg, fostering projects of common interest, and connecting the sites to the surrounding areas;

Change 30 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added94. Notes that the current fiscal pressure calls for financial prudence and efficiency, also within Parliament’s administrative budget, in order to demonstrate institutional responsibility, where appropriate and without jeopardising its role in the Union institutional setting and its core functions; calls on Parliament’s administration to explore innovative budgeting tools, including performance informed budgeting, that could enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency of the budgeting process, ensuring public resources are spent responsibly; notes that such options should not be to the detriment of the financial commitments already planned or undertaken and should not affect in any way the quality of services provided to Members and staff and neither the financial obligations incurred based on the existing rules in force;

Change 31 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed69.96. Recommends that DG FINS establishes a risk-based approach to controlling and auditing Members’ expenditure;expenditure and processes aligned with the principles of good governance, notably transparency, accountability, responsiveness and equity; acknowledges that it is essential to have a (sample based) baseline level of control to ensure compliance with the rules; welcomes thatthat, in the event of a higher risk of irregular spending by a Member, the administration can exercise its right to check the funds concerned; emphasises that, while such controls are welcomed, their effectiveness depends on the carrying out a follow-up in a timely manner to irregular spending that has been identified;

Change 32 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed73.100. Notes the statement of assurance signed by the Director-Generaldirector-general of DG FINS; notes the remark made in the statement of assurance concerning the residual risk of errors or irregularities in the reimbursement of certain travel expenses for Members, mainly concerning the reimbursement claims for travel by car, and the payment of a distance and duration allowance,allowance; asnotes the actual expenses incurred cannotmitigating beactions verifiedsuggested sinceby thereDG isFINS noand requirementcalls tofor submitswift proofimplementation of these costs claimed for reimbursement;risk-reducing notesmeasures; thatrequests the financial impactprovision of thisa residualreport riskto mightthe exceeddischarge EURauthority 9on millionthe perfinancial year;impact notesand the mitigatingeffectiveness actionsof suggestedthe bymeasures DGtaken, FINSpresenting andthe callscosts forof theircontrol swiftof implementation;different evidence-based options;

Change 33 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added101. Notes with concern that the reimbursement of travel expenses for Members frequently exceeds three months; calls on the administration and DG FINS to significantly accelerate reimbursement procedures, including through further digitalisation, simplified verification processes and clearer internal deadlines, while fully respecting financial control requirements;

Change 34 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed75.103. NotesHighlights that there is no obligationMembers onare Membersfree to document their use of the funds under the General Expenditure Allowance (GEA); highlights that they can do so voluntarily in detail or by type of cost, on their own or with the support of an external auditor, and that they can choose to have this information published in whole or in part on their online page on Parliament’s website in accordance with Rule 11(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; considers maximum transparency a good practice; welcomes that a simplified list of types of costs is integrated into the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members (IMSM)andand that an amendment clarifying the possibility for Members to use the GEA when an exhaustion of other allowances has also been adopted; notes that all Members have been informed about the specifics of this allowance; considers maximum transparency a good practice;

Change 35 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed76.104. Notes that the GEA was EUR 4 950 per month in 2024 and accounts for approximately EUR 40 million per yearyear; spentrecalls withoutthat anyno requirementsindexation forof financialthe management;allowance regretswas that,made atin its2022 meetingor on2024; 17notes Octoberthat 2022,Parliament complies with current rules regarding the BureauGEA; adoptedrecalls thisthe decisionneed withoutto establishingavoid anyan oversightunnecessary framework;administrative burden for Members;

Change 36 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added105. Notes that the current Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members does not lay down transparency requirements for financial management of the GEA; notes that, at its meeting on 17 October 2022, the Bureau adopted this decision without establishing any oversight framework;

Change 37 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed78. Calls for reform of the GEA, whereby Members keep all receipts related to the GEA, annually publish a private overview of expenditure to DG FINS, and that Parliament establish an annual 5 % sample check of GEA expenditure by Members;

Change 38 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added108. Calls on Parliament to adopt a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, incorporating technical solutions for document management and communication to ensure transparency, improve efficiency, safeguard security and move towards a paperless administration; calls for the development of user-friendly digital platforms to enhance e-participation, allowing Union citizens to provide feedback on proposed legislation and access Parliament's activities in real-time;

Change 39 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed88.117. Welcomes the establishment of a new governance framework for AI, with an AI Governance Board overseeing Parliament’s AI strategy and roadmap and ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical oversight, an Inter-DG Steering Group on AI responsible for drafting AI strategies, develop key capabilities and ensure long-term safety and sustainability, and an AI Centre of Competence within DG ITEC, that guides, promotes and monitors AI initiatives across Parliament; notes that this governance framework will ensure transparency and compliance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which entered into force on 1 August 2024 with its provisions becoming applicable from 2025 onwards; notes that Parliament’s members of staff can make use of third-party publicly available generative AI tools if they respect the guidelines on the use of publicly available AI tools for Parliament’s members of staff, approved by the Secretary-General on 16 April 2024, under the strict understanding that they support professional duties only; calls on the administration to step up its efforts to train staff in the efficient and secure use of new technologies such as AI;

Change 40 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed90.119. Welcomes that ethics training remained a priority but regretsand that onlywith as little as 13 ‘Let’s Talk Ethics’ sessions trainedsessions, 178 staff,staff received training, tailored courses reached 109 participants, and the mandatory induction for APAs achieved a 72 % completion rate; welcomes that the new course for managers on ethical leadership and harassment prevention trainedprovided training to 320 managers across 33 sessions;

Change 41 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed91.120. Insists that the measures of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance be reinforced; considers that Parliament has to strengthenensure itsa culture of integrity,integrity embedding ethical standards into daily operations for not damaging the trust of citizens and reinforcing its legitimacy in oversight; calls for the continuation and strengthening of cooperation and dialogue on integrity, transparency, and standards on conduct within the Union institutions;

Change 42 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added121. Acknowledges the positive evaluation of the technical implementation of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Parliament Regarding Integrity and Transparency, as reported to the Bureau; calls for additional efforts to enhance transparency across all sectors and services of Parliament, with particular emphasis on legislative production; in this regard invites Parliament administration not to limit introduction of transparency requirements to management level;

Added122. Welcomes the increased use of the Transparency Register as an information and reference tool for interest representation activities at Union level; welcomes the development of IT solutions to improve the Transparency Register, but notes that its Secretariat is still underfunded and understaffed; notes that the quality of entries in the Transparency Register has improved and recalls the necessity to keep strengthening data quality checks of new applicants; welcomes the establishment of robust standards at Parliament with regard to transparency and access to institutions for entities listed in the Transparency Register; calls for inter-linking the Transparency Register and the Financial Transparency System in order to allow cross-checks of entities listed in the Transparency Register and verify the adequacy of the data submitted; reiterates, in this context, the need for comprehensive financial pre-screening of all entities before they are listed in the Transparency Register, and calls in this respect for the Transparency Register to be provided with adequate resources for its functioning and for the effective enforcement of its internal rules; further calls on Parliament’s administration to ensure interinstitutional media transparency and to disclose all media outlets receiving Union funds;

Added123. Calls on the Court to specifically examine media funding;

Change 43 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed94.126. Notes that the work is progressing on Parliament’s internal platform dedicated to generative AI; reiterates that this platform is a key element for the compliant and secure implementation of AI projects;projects, particularly for the support of Members in their activities;

Change 44 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added128. Calls on Parliament’s administration to strengthen transparency and accessibility of parliamentary work by making use of AI solutions to enable the systematic availability of digital, searchable and reusable transcripts of all committee debates, including exchanges with Commissioners, experts and stakeholders; stresses that such transcripts should be made available in a timely manner; underlines that improved access to committee debates would enhance democratic scrutiny, institutional memory and citizens’ understanding of Parliament’s legislative work;

Added129. Acknowledges the significant improvements made to the plenary website, including enhanced accessibility of roll-call vote verification tools, which have contributed to greater transparency and accuracy of parliamentary voting records; nevertheless calls for further improvements to the usability and presentation of voting-related information;

Change 45 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed96.130. Notes with concern the excessively high costsunderfunding of the Voluntary Pension Scheme, which impose a substantial and unsustainable burden on the Union budget through a persistent deficit of EUR 105 million at the end of 2024 and limited assets of EUR 23,17 million projected to be exhausted by late 2026; notes that escalating obligations stem from legal payment commitments to over 900 members until at least 2074;

Change 46 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed99.133. Notes that the Bureau decision of 12 June 2023 has been challenged by a 405 voluntary pension scheme beneficiaries and that they have filed a complaint in the Court of Justice ofbefore the European UnionGeneral (CJEU);Court; recalls the remarks made by the Secretary-General in the hearing of 8 December in anticipation of the ruling of the CJEUGeneral Court and the potential courses of action; notes that the General Court of the European Union ruleddecided on 17 December 2025 to dismiss the actions of the former Members; asks the administration and the Bureau to address the matter once again only after the legal assessmentand oftake the CJEU is delivered innecessary ordermeasures to considercomply with the futurejudgement of the voluntary pension scheme and Parliament’s roleGeneral therein;Court;

Change 47 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Added135. Welcomes Parliament’s publication of contracts above EUR 15 000; calls on Parliament to enhance the transparency of its procurement procedures, including by publishing structured machine-readable data wherever legally and technically feasible, and by integrating clear due diligence expectations and enforcement mechanisms into its supply chains through contract management;

Change 48 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed102.137. Notes that 2024 was a challenging year for presenting the expenditure accounted under budget item 400 for two reasons, the first being that it was ana European election year, with expenditure split between the first half of 2024 (the ninth legislative term) and the second half of 2024 (the tenth legislative term), and the fact that the final accounts that were audited for the first half of 2024 of one of the political groups (ID Group) contained serious irregularities; notes that the first Vice-President,Vice-Presidents, in the hearing on 8 December, also indicated that there was additional information asked regarding the accounts for the second half of 2024, which was still awaited by the Bureau before taking a decision on providing the information to the discharge authority; stronglynotes regretsthe that,letter inof 20 January 2026 of the absenceParliament’s Secretary-General to the Chair of the requiredParliament’s supportingCommittee documentation,on Budgetary Control submitting the Bureauaudit cannotreports approvefor the consolidatedsecond informationhalf onof budget2024 itemfor 400;seven urgesof the Bureaueight topolitical informgroups; notes the dischargeunqualified authorityopinion aboutfor each report; notes that the relevantreport financialof informationthe forPfE budgetGroup itemfor 400the assecond soonhalf asof it2024 is available;still missing because of ongoing exchanges between that political group and Parliament’s competent services; calls on both the PfE Group and Parliament’s competent services to swiftly resolve the open issues and inform the discharge authority of the outcome;

Change 49 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed103.138. Notes media reports accusing the Patriots for Europe (PfE)PfE Group of misusing at least EUR 171 644 in funds during the second half of 2024; notes that Parliament’s administration has requested clarification from the PfE Group; regretsnotes that documents clarifying thesethe expendituresdischarge haveauthority stillhas not yet been provided;informed but expects to be informed without delay of any further developments and of the outcome of the administrative follow-up in this matter;

Change 50 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Removed104. Encourages Parliament to explore alternative arrangements to the exclusive financial responsibility entrusted to political groups; calls for strengthened oversight mechanisms within DG FINS to ensure sound financial management, effective controls and full accountability for public funds;

Added139. Notes reports by the German news magazine ‘Stern’, alleging that a Member of the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group hosted a group congress involving staff and family members, with potential costs charged to Parliament’s budget under item 400, and that donations were allegedly collected during this event for a right-wing women’s network linked to close family and staff of ESN Group Members; recalls that expenditure under budget item 400 must be strictly limited to parliamentary activities of the political groups and fully comply with the applicable rules; urges DG FINS to investigate the case; and inform the discharge authority without delay should any non-compliance be detected;

Added140. Recalls the exclusive financial responsibility entrusted to political groups and their commitment to ensure sound financial management, effective controls and full accountability for public funds; calls for adequate oversight mechanisms within DG FINS by making more resources available;

Change 51 under “2. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION”

Changed110.146. Welcomes the publication of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2025/2445 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which introduces new requirements for European political parties and European political foundations with the aim of strengthening democratic integrity and resilience; underlines in particular that European political parties now also have to ensure compliance of their member parties, and European political foundations of their member organisations, with the values on which the Union is founded as enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU);TEU; further notes that safeguards against foreign interference have been reinforced, and that the revised sanctions system requires sanctions for quantifiable infringements – such as breaches of donation rules or the prohibition on providing funding to national parties – to be imposed without offering an opportunity for corrective measures; positively notes in this context the comprehensive preventive guidance offered by the Authority with its Regulatory Compliance Action Plan ('R-CAP') so as to facilitate smooth and effective implementation; encourages the decision to introduce eligibility checks also within member organisations, in order to ensure full coherence of also the member organisations with the values of Article 2 TEU and to uphold democratic integrity in Parliament’s funding of European Political parties;