The Parliament.com reported that the European Parliament is set to approve an 85 per cent increase in the amount it spends on "entertainment". The so called “entertainement budget” covers expenses “related to the obligations of the institution regarding entertainment” meaning MEPS parties and dinners, the European Parliament President and the secretariat’s reception and representation costs, it also includes expenditure, “on flags, display stands, invitation cards, printed menus and travel” as well as “subsistence expenses incurred by VIP visitors to the institution.”
At a time of severe strain on the majority of Member States’ public finances, where citizens all over Europe have been demonstrating against austerity measures, the European Parliament Budget Committee has voted to rise the 2011 “entertainment budget” from €1,105,200 to €2,047,450 which represents an increase of 85 per cent on 2010 budget.
All the amendments tabled seeking to reduce such budget were outvoted, including an amendment tabled by the ECR group to keep the budget to €1.5m.
If the EU, as they say, is about solidarity, such move does not show solidarity at all with the EU taxpayers.
