The Civil Liberties Committee of the European Parliament has called for the EU’s first anti-corruption strategy to encompass much more than just sanctions. They emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, transparency, institutional integrity, investigations, asset recovery, and protection for whistleblowers. The resolution was adopted with an overwhelming majority of 48 votes in favor, 3 against, and 17 abstentions.
### Key Highlights
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are advocating for this anti-corruption strategy to complement the newly proposed EU anti-corruption directive, focusing on prevention, law enforcement, institutional oversight, and international cooperation.
One of the main demands involves establishing more uniform standards regarding conflicts of interest, gifts, sponsored travel, asset declarations, and the transition from public positions to private roles—essentially addressing situations where public decisions may be influenced by private interests.
The resolution also calls for enhanced cooperation among EU member states and institutions like Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office), the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), and the future EU Customs Authority.
### The Cost of Corruption
Corruption is estimated to cost the EU between €179 and €990 billion annually, according to the Commission. Alarmingly, around 69% of Europeans believe that corruption is widespread in their respective countries. The Parliament’s requested strategy aims to be the first comprehensive anti-corruption framework at the EU level, with the European Commission preparing a document expected to be finalized by the end of the year.
MEPs emphasize that prevention should be a cornerstone at both the member state and EU institutional levels. They urge for a thorough mapping of corruption risks, training for individuals exposed to these risks, and adequate resources for institutions tasked with upholding integrity.
A significant issue noted in the text is the need for clearer standards regarding conflicts of interest. The Parliament demands regulations that delineate when public officials’ decisions could be swayed by private financial or political interests, encompassing gifts, sponsored trips, asset disclosures, and the issue of „revolving doors.”
### Law Enforcement and International Cooperation
The resolution outlines the necessity for stronger law enforcement collaboration and data sharing among member states and European agencies. It notes the importance of international support in pursuing cross-border corruption cases and emphasizes the need for additional resources for the EPPO, particularly in transnational corruption cases.
Judicial independence is identified as a vital condition for effective anti-corruption measures. MEPs insist on safeguarding judicial authorities, prosecutors, independent agencies, investigative journalists, and whistleblowers to prevent corruption cases from being obstructed or politicized.
Public procurement has been flagged as a high-risk area, especially where firms under scrutiny in one member state could still engage in public contracts in another. Lack of information exchange can allow problematic companies to shift their risks across borders.
### Addressing Organized Crime and Corruption
The Parliament connects corruption with organized crime, with findings indicating that nearly 60% of criminal organizations engage in corrupt practices. The text points out that corruption can enable these groups to gain intelligence, evade checks, secure contracts, launder money, or influence officials.
Moreover, MEPs are calling for stricter measures for tracking and recovering funds linked to corruption, emphasizing the challenges posed by crypto-assets and digital financial systems. The resolution also advocates for the gradual elimination of investment residency schemes, often termed „golden visas,” due to the risks they pose in terms of inadequate scrutiny over the origins of funds.
### Broader Scope and Monitoring
The anti-corruption rules are requested to include EU citizens acting for private companies abroad, as well as the reverse. This broadened perspective aims to ensure that corrupt activities involving EU entities, even outside its borders, are adequately addressed.
With regard to the EU’s expansion, anti-corruption measures are to be prioritized in the enlargement policy, ensuring candidate countries have the necessary resources and independence for their specialized institutions.
Lastly, the Parliament urges that the EU become a full member of GRECO, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body, to strengthen the synergy between EU mechanisms and broader European anti-corruption standards.
In terms of monitoring, MEPs want the Commission to establish a periodic evaluation process involving all EU institutions, common indicators, and an effective monitoring framework. They aim to see applicable recommendations in the annual rule of law report and would like future EU budgets to contain stronger corruption conditionality and specific anti-corruption targets.
To further engage with the Commission, the LIBE Committee has also submitted an oral question, seeking clarification on the EU Executive’s approach to strengthening prevention, timely implementation of the anti-corruption directive, and safeguarding judicial independence.
The resolution and the oral question will be forwarded for discussion in a future plenary session of the European Parliament, with the final vote clarifying the Parliament’s stance before the Commission unveils its strategy.
