‘Greedy’ German MEPs torpedo bid to seal statute

By Martin Banks

Date: 04/12/03

A NEW attempt to curb the controversial expenses system enjoyed by members of the European Parliament has run into the ground.

Legal affairs committee members yesterday (3 December) dramatically voted against sweeping new rules aimed at reforming the much-criticized system. Compromise plans put forward by German Socialist deputy Willi Rothley, Parliament's rapporteur on the proposed MEPs' statute, were defeated by 16 votes to 13.

The decision prompted one committee member, Dutch Socialist Michiel van Hulten, to declare: "The statute has been sacrificed on the high altar of self-interest. It is an absolute disgrace."

Rothley's proposals were aimed at addressing Parliamentary immunity, MEPs' taxation and pensions, the three unresolved issues linked to MEPs' pay and conditions.

Agreement was vital on all three for the statute to be approved by member states. The defeated proposals would have given member state governments the chance to tax MEPs at a national, rather than European rate, retirement age for deputies would have been increased from 60 to 63 and the pay and expenses question would not have been linked to the vexed issue of immunity and privileges.

Under a pay and conditions review agreed separately by MEPs in June, members would receive a monthly salary of about €8,500 and have to produce proof of all travel costs incurred.

Van Hulten, a member of the Campaign for Parliamentary Reform, said: "Yesterday's vote means the statute in its current form will not now be acceptable to member states. These three unresolved matters had to be approved and they weren't.

"It effectively means the statute, and all efforts to put an end to the "gravy train" image with which MEPs are saddled with, is a non-starter. It is a real kick in the teeth for those MEPs who have spent years campaigning for reform.

"I simply cannot believe the behaviour of some MEPs, particularly German members, who are rarely, if ever, seen on the committee. They turned out in force to make sure Rothley's proposals would be rejected. German members are among those who have most to lose by reform of the MEPs' expenses regime and their behaviour is absolutely scandalous. It is pure greed.

"We were tantalizingly close to achieving a transparent and accountable system. But yesterday, that reform effort was blocked by an unholy alliance of Christian Democrat and Socialist MEPs. Through their action, they show a lack of respect for the reputation of the European Parliament.

"Rothley was fuming afterwards and I'm not surprised. He was humiliated by some of his own colleagues."

Parliament's President Pat Cox had made adoption of the statute his number one priority of his mandate which ends next June..

Cox, who has said reform was "absolutely vital" before ten more states join the Union next year, had hoped to put new rules on salaries, expenses, tax and pensions to this month's Brussels summit (12-13 December). That now looks highly unlikely.

MEPs on the EP's Committee of Legal Affairs have voted against the proposed MEPs Statute on the 3 December 2003 in a controversial decision.

http://europarl.europa.eu/committees/juri_home.htm http://europarl.europa.eu/committees/juri_home.htm

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