The amendments to freeze EUR 1.81 million for Mates's office costs and salaries were submitted by Jan Mulder of the Liberals and Ingeborg Graessle of the European People's Party because he failed to keep his promise, made in writing and verbally, that he would pull his ECA candidacy if he did not win the support of the EP. Despite the EP's negative opinion, the Council of the European Union nevertheless appointed him to the ECA.
The 2014 draft budget envisages EUR 142.6 billion in liabilities and EUR 136.1 billion in real payments, whereas member countries proposed EUR 141.8 billion in liabilities and EUR 134.8 billion in payments, so major battles are expected in the next three weeks.
The EP refused to slash the budget as proposed by the Council, notably items important to stimulate the economy.
Apart from the 2014 budget, also on the table are amendment to the 2014-20 financial framework.