In light of the corruption scandal at the European Parliament (EP), MEPs are asking for swift and ambitious reforms to ensure transparency and integrity in EU decision-making, while also pushing for the establishment of an EU independent ethics body.
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted two resolutions on the issue of transparency and integrity in EU decision-making following up on the measures requested by Parliament in December 2022 and welcoming the recent decision by President Roberta Metsola and political group leaders as a necessary first step.
MEPs will show "zero tolerance for corruption in any shape and at any level," and also stressed that the Parliament must show "unequivocal unity and unwavering resolve" in this regard.
Areas have been listed by MEPs where further improvements are needed, such as a better implementation of the Code of Conduct, including financial sanctions in case of breaches, the introduction of more sanctionable activities, and a ban on any remunerated activities that could create a conflict of interest with an MEP’s mandate.
Clear and immediate influence
An approval process is also needed for trips paid by third countries and additional vetting for MEPs’ assistants and EP staff working in sensitive policy fields, particularly in foreign affairs, security and defence.
The Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members should be reformed to fill in for the independent EU Ethics Body until it is in place, and asset declarations should be made by MEPs at the beginning and end of each mandate.
Additionally, adequate resources for the Transparency Register and an obligation for MEPs are needed, but also their staff and Parliament employees to declare work meetings with third country diplomats, where they would have "an active role as well as clear and immediate influence" in Parliament’s work, except where this could put those involved in danger or jeopardise public interest.
Lastly, internal rules should be aligned with the Whistleblower Directive, and the measures taken regarding representatives of Qatar should be extended to those of Morocco.
Parliament notes that NGOs have allegedly been used as vectors of foreign interference, and urges a review of existing regulations to enhance transparency on their governance, budget, foreign influence and persons of significant control.
It underlines that NGOs receiving money from parties who do not have to sign up to the Transparency Register (third countries) also need to disclose the sources of their funding, and requests that if this information is not disclosed, they should not receive EU public money.
It also calls for a comprehensive financial pre-screening before an NGO is listed on the EU transparency register, for any contractual agreements with the Commission to be published, and a clear definition of which NGOs are allowed to register and are eligible to receive EU funding.
Yet, it also deplores the use of the corruption scandal "to launch a misguided smearing campaign" against NGOs and spread misinformation on the lack of transparency of their funding, reiterating its unwavering support to civil society organisations that speak up for human rights and the environment in full respect of the rules.
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The Parliament also reiterated its call for an independent ethics body for the EU institutions, based on MEPs’ proposals of September 2021, to restore citizens’ trust. The Commission’s proposal should be submitted by March, and negotiations should conclude by the summer break, MEPs say.
This body should clearly distinguish between criminal actions, breaches of institutional rules, and unethical behaviour. "It would play a key role in protecting whistleblowers within the EU institutions while working in a complementary manner with other EU bodies such as the anti-fraud office (OLAF), the Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO), the Ombudsman and the European Court of Auditors."
