Mates was appointed to the post for a period of six years. The Budgetary Control Committee and EP overall gave a negative opinion on Mates' nomination, however that opinion is not binding even though the Council generally upholds the EP's opinion.

It is difficult to comprehend this decision. During a hearing before the Budgetary Control Committee the Croatian candidate did not convince the Committee that he was an appropriate candidate and the majority of MEPs did not approve his candidacy. The Council's decision shows lack of respect for the European Parliament, Committee chairman Michael Theurer said.

At a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on June 12, 396 MEPs voted against Mates' candidacy, 231 voted in favour and 46 abstained.

MEPs regretted that Mates did not keep his word when he said that if he did not receive the EP's support he would withdraw his candidacy.

I am shocked that Mr. Mates did not keep his word. He promised that he would resign if the Parliament did not support him. This certainly is not a good start in future relations with the Parliament, Spanish MEP Ines Ayala Sender of the Alliance of Socialists and Democrats said.

The European Court of Auditors is based in Luxembourg and its primary role is to externally check if the budget of the European Union is being implemented correctly. The court is bound to report any problems once a year to the EP and Council of Ministers.

The Court is composed of one member from each EU state. Candidates have to be qualified auditors and must act independently of national and European institutions.

Mates has worked abroad for many years, mostly at the International Monetary Fund. After an early retirement in 2009, he returned to Croatia and took up an advisory post at the Croatian National Bank, which he fills today.