Members of the European Parliament Reject Budget

Tough negotiations with ministers expected

The European Parliament has rejected the 27 EU governments' position on next year's EU budget, triggering hard bargaining to reach a deal.

In a vote in Strasbourg the MEPs backed the European Commission's call for a 6.8% budget rise for 2013.

An MEPs' report deplored a decision by the Council—the 27 governments—to cut that figure to 2.79%.

The long-term budget for 2014-2020 is also being debated, ahead of a key leaders' summit next month.