– Before the vote:

  Hannes Swoboda, on behalf of the S&D Group. − Mr President, I have a question to the rapporteur. As far as I remember, we have already voted for a member of the Court of Auditors for Spain. My question is whether Spain now has two members of the Court of Auditors, whether the man for whom we voted resigned and was withdrawn, or whether he was withdrawn artificially by the Government of Spain.

I find it strange that Parliament here should vote for a member and then that the Council should not respect our vote. So I would ask what exactly is happening, because our Group would protest strongly if, after the European Parliament has taken a decision on a majority vote, the Council does not respect our decision.

  President. − Mr Swoboda, apparently the mandate of the current auditor is expiring this month and therefore the proposal is in order, so I am advised.

(That concludes the vote)