European Parliament refuses approval of Council's budget management for 2022

The European Parliament has refused to grant discharge for the budget management of the European Council and Council for the 2022 financial year. This historic decision comes as a result of the Council's lack of cooperation in the budget control procedure. The situation affects transparency and democratic accountability in the use of European public funds.

Context and objectives

The discharge procedure represents Parliament's final control over the implementation of the EU budget. According to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Parliament has the exclusive responsibility to grant discharge. The objective is to ensure transparency and democratic control over the use of public funds.

Key measures

• Formal refusal of discharge to the Council's Secretary-General for the 2022 budget implementation
• Transmission of the decision to the European Council, Council, Commission and European Court of Auditors
• Publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union
• Preparation of a resolution with detailed observations

Timeline and implementation

The decision was adopted in April 2024, after Parliament had previously postponed the discharge decision. The procedure is based on reports from the European Court of Auditors and the European Ombudsman. The Council has a legal obligation to cooperate in the budget control procedure, but has refused to do so since 2009.

Impact for citizens and stakeholders

The refusal of discharge affects citizens' trust in European financial management. The lack of transparency hinders democratic control over public fund expenditure. The situation underscores the need for improved institutional cooperation to protect the European public interest.