New research from Transparency International EU shows shortcomings on integrity and transparency in the EU institutions

Author
Vitor Teixeira
Date
4 February, 2021
Type
Press Release
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4 February 2021, Brussels

Three new reports (available to download at the bottom of this page), released today by Transparency International EU (TI EU), show that the European Parliament, European Commission, and Council of the EU all have shortcomings in their integrity and transparency mechanisms – some of them serious. Unlike the Commission and the Council, the European Parliament refused to cooperate in the research of the study, barring its officials from speaking to our researchers. 

The three studies are an update of the 2014 assessment of the EU integrity system and although advancements have been made over the last few years, there are still significant areas for improvement. 

A major issue we identified across the institutions is that theare effectively self-policing when it comes to sanctioning breaches of their internal rules, and that they often lack the political will to do so.said Leo Hoffmann-Axthelm, Research and Advocacy Coordinator at Transparency International EU, and the lead author of the three reports. 

In the European Parliament, sanctions for potential breaches of rules and possible conflicts of interest concerning MEPs are currently decided by the President advised by an Advisory Committee which is also composed of MEPs 

The European Commission has a new Independent Ethical Committee’ which assesses so-called ‘revolving doorcases. However, the group cannot initiate investigations into potential conflicts of interest by itself, as it can only act on a request by the Commission President.  

In the Council, the fact that almost all legislative work takes place in its preparatory bodies composed of member state representatives means that the institution is able to circumvent the normal transparency standards applicable to the legislative process under EU law. You cannot disclose what governments are up to if you do not write it down in the first place”, noted Hoffmann-Axthelm.  

The current culture of self-regulation and ineffective sanctioning mechanisms in the EU institutions highlight the urgent need for an independent EU ethics bodysaid Vitor Teixeira, EU Political Integrity Coordinator at TI EU. Such a body must be well-resourced, be able to initiative its own investigations and have enforcement authority over MEPs, Commissioners, and officials involved in breaches of ethical rules.” 

The full reports are available here: 

Note: 

  1. A full list of recommendations that are specific to each institution can be found in each report 

Related Projects

European Union Integrity Study 2.0

Transparent and accountable institutions, with strong integrity policies to prevent conflicts of interest, are the very foundation of a political system that serves citizens. Transparency International has developed the national integrity system...

Resources

EUIS2 – European Parliament

EUIS2 – European Commission

EUIS 2 – Council of the EU