MEPs agree on reform of salaries and travel expenses[fr][de] 

The proposal, which was approved by 403 MEPs, with 89 no votes and 92 abstentions, will end a stituation where MEPs from Italy earned 12,435 Euro a month, while their counterparts from Hungary only received 840 Euro. The new statute will change little for MEPs from Britain and Germany, who already earn sums approaching the 7,000 euro that will be the standard payment for all MEPs in the future as of 2009.

All MEPs, however, will be affected by changes to the travel expenses: While they could in the past reimburse the costs for a business class flight even if they flew economy class or low-fare, they will now have to present tickets and will then only receive the price actually paid. This long overdue reform will end years of criticism of alleged abuse of status and the bad image of MEPs jumping the 'gravy train'.