The European Parliament has today (12 March) rejected proposals put forward by the council on the EU's long-term budget.
The parliament rejected the council's position for the multi-annual financial framework (MFF), with 477 MEPs voting to reject the council's proposition, with 506 voting on a resolution mandating the parliament's president, Martin Schulz, to present alternate proposals to the council when the institutions meet on Thursday under the co-legislative procedure.
The decision by the parliament was not unexpected. MEPs have been pushing for different spending priorities than envisaged by the council, and for a more growth-oriented budget. In addition, there have been arguments over figures, as well as the inclusion of a revision clause – a legally-binding mid-term review of spending – one of the parliament's 'red lines'. Schulz said the rejections was “foreseeable”, and downplayed any serious institutional gridlock. Rejections of this sort, he said, were “normal”.
Speaking after the vote, Schulz condemned the council for not taking on board parliament's views. He said the rejection of the budget plans represented “an important step for European democracy”.
“The parliament wants to be taken as a serious partner. We want to come to a compromise and improve the MFF," he said
