Budget 2013: MEPs to debate how to break deadlock

Parliament, the Cyprus Presidency and the Commission will debate how to break the deadlock on the EU budgets for 2012 and 2013 on Wednesday at 15:00. Because the Council and Parliament could not reach a conciliation agreement, the Commission must present a new draft budget for 2013. Meanwhile, a number of 2012 programmes are paralysed by funding shortfalls and the Commission can no longer pay any bills.

Despite a joint declaration signed by all member states last year that they would act swiftly to remedy any shortfall, a blocking minority in the Council is refusing to act. This minority argues that the Commission should find the money in what remains of the 2012 budget. Commissioner Lewandowski has already made it clear that this is impossible.

You can watch the plenary debate via EP Live, and EbS+.