Sittings · Document

REPORT (C100135/2026 – 2026/0806(NLE)) 2026-07-17

On the nomination of Gerald Loacker as a Member of the Court of Auditors

Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Paulo Cunha

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The Committee on Budgetary Control delivers a favourable opinion on the Council's nomination of Gerald Loacker as a Member of the Court of Auditors. The committee evaluated his credentials, received his curriculum vitae and written questionnaire replies, and held a hearing with him on 14 July 2026. The annexes set out his professional experience, education, publications and his answers on independence, financial interests, performance auditing and cooperation with Parliament and national audit institutions.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control delivers a favourable opinion on the Council's nomination of Gerald Loacker as a Member of the Court of Auditors, after evaluating his credentials and holding a hearing.

Key points

  1. Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control delivers a favourable opinion on the Council's nomination of Gerald Loacker as a Member of the Court of Auditors.
  2. The Council consulted Parliament by letter of 10 June 2026 on the nomination.
  3. The committee evaluated Gerald Loacker's credentials against Article 286(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, receiving his curriculum vitae and written questionnaire replies.
  4. The committee held a hearing with Gerald Loacker on 14 July 2026, where he made an opening statement and answered questions.
  5. Gerald Loacker states he would act with independence, impartiality and evidence-based judgement, disclose relevant interests, avoid conflicts of interest and recuse himself where appropriate.
  6. He states that neither he nor his close relatives hold business or financial interests that could conflict with the role, and that he is prepared to disclose all financial interests.
  7. He states he has no active or executive role in politics, holds no elected office or party position, and was formally part of the regional NEOS Committee in Vorarlberg in an advisory role until 06.05.2026.
  8. He states he has zero tolerance for fraud and corruption and would provide information about suspicious activity to OLAF and EPPO where applicable.
  9. He sets out features of sound financial management: clear objectives, adequate resources, effectiveness and efficiency, with the Court identifying gaps, evaluating management and assessing value for money.
  10. He proposes closer dialogue with Parliament on its information needs and the discharge calendar, follow-up assessments of recommendations, and strengthening the annual discharge procedure.
  11. He supports using the Contact Committee framework more systematically for coordinated audits, parallel audits and exchanges on methodology with national audit institutions.
  12. He would encourage audits building on each other, timely performance audits within the 13-month timeline, and use of modern IT and AI-based analytical methods, while stating audit work in member states remains crucial.

Who is affected

  • Gerald Loacker, nominated as a Member of the Court of Auditors; the committee delivers a favourable opinion on his nomination.
  • The Council, which consulted Parliament on the nomination.
  • The Court of Auditors, which would receive the decision for information.
  • The European Parliament and its Committee on Budgetary Control, which would benefit from closer cooperation and reporting.
  • National supreme audit institutions, with which coordinated audit approaches are proposed.

Figures and deadlines

  • 10 June 2026: date of the Council's letter consulting Parliament on the nomination.
  • 14 July 2026: date of the committee's hearing with Gerald Loacker.
  • 06.05.2026: date of his nomination by the Austrian Federal Government, until which he was formally part of the regional NEOS Committee in Vorarlberg in an advisory role.
  • 13-month timeline: foreseen timeline for timely performance audits under the Financial Regulation.
  • 2026-2030: period of the European Court of Auditors Strategy defining priority areas.
  • 2028-2034: period of the Commission's proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Legal basis: Article 286(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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