The European Parliament adopted its position on 2012 budget. Basically, MEPs sought to restore the draft budget proposed by the Commission, which the Council cut in July. This implies an increase in payments of 5.2% as compared to this year's budget, resulting in a budget of €133.1 billion.

MEPs adopted at the plenary session its position on next year's budget. In general, MEPs sought to restore the draft budget proposed by the Commission, which the Council cut in July. Parliament's position implies an increase in payments of 5.2% as compared to this year's budget.

The spending categories that see the biggest increases in payments are Research and Development (+10.35%) and Cohesion and Structural funds (+8.8%). This is because these policies in fact consist of long-term investment projects which now, in the fifth year of the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), are up to full speed and for which money committed earlier now needs to be paid out. In addition, another category that sees a significant increase is Freedom, Security and Justice (+6.84%), due to growing needs to manage refugee and migration flows and step up maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean.

Bearing in mind there is no agreement with the Council so far, a 21-day conciliation period starts in November, with meetings foreseen on 8 and 18 November. Furthermore, there are budget trilogues foreseen during November. If Parliament and Council can agree, the final budget could be approved at the December I session in Brussels.