The final vote in Parliament on 17 May comes after the General Affairs Council on 15 May paved the way for wrapping up the long budget saga, which reached a low point in June 2005, when the EU summit failed to reach a deal.
However, the UK presidency made an 864 billion euro deal at the EU summit in December 2005, which Parliament then managed to top up with an extra 4 billion euros on 4 April (see EurActiv 7 April). It is this political agreement, which is now set to get a final green light.
The three big groups in the Parliament, the EPP, the Socialists and Liberals are expected to vote for the budget, whereas the Green group will vote against.
