European Parliament
Frahm and Sjöstedt (GUE/NGL ) and Lund (PSE),
in writing.
(DA)
We have today voted neither in favour of, nor against, joint motion for a resolution no. RC-
on the Members’ Statute.
The present system, involving non-transparent and tax-free reimbursement of travel expenses, together with reimbursement of general expenses, is unacceptable. The present draft Members’ Statute does not, however, solve the problems satisfactorily.
It is not acceptable
- for Danish and Swedish MEPs’ remuneration to be increased by more than 50%;
- for there still to be issued, alongside the reimbursement of actual travel expenses, a tax-free payment based on distance travelled and time spent on the journey;
- and for the reimbursement of general expenses (at present approximately DKK 26 000 per month) still to be paid out tax-free without having to be accounted for.
Because of the very different national schemes for MEPs and the majority’s unwillingness to draw a line under tax-free schemes, it would be most appropriate to leave it to each individual Member State or to the relevant parties/movements in each individual Member State to draw up proper rules for their Members of the European Parliament.

