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OPINION (COM(2023)0234 – C90162/2023 – 2023/0135(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combating corruption, replacing Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA and the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union and amending Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council

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Committee on Budgetary Control · Rapporteur: Caterina Chinnici

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The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes amendments to the directive on combating corruption, expanding definitions and adding prevention measures. It requires member states to raise awareness, educate on integrity, prevent nepotism, ensure transparency in procurement, and regulate public-private interactions. It mandates minimum anti-corruption measures, including gift policies, conflict-of-interest rules, asset disclosure, and reporting systems, and strengthens cooperation among authorities.

Committee position. The Committee on Budgetary Control proposes amendments to expand definitions, strengthen prevention, and enhance cooperation in the anti-corruption directive.

Key points

  1. Defines 'financial and economic crimes' to include corruption, fraud, money laundering, and terrorist financing affecting EU interests.
  2. Defines 'nepotism' or 'cronyism' as preferential treatment by public officials based on personal or political connections.
  3. Expands 'property' to include crypto assets and extends 'national official' to anyone with public service functions.
  4. Defines 'conflict of interests' as compromised impartiality due to family, political affinity, or personal interest.
  5. Requires member states to raise public awareness on corruption's impact on public budgets and to implement education for public integrity in schools.
  6. Mandates measures to prevent favouritism, nepotism, and cronyism in public recruitment and administrative procedures.
  7. Requires transparency in public procurement via e-procurement, online publication of tenders and contracts, and regular audits.
  8. Requires digitalisation of corruption prevention information and open access to public interest data in machine-readable formats.
  9. Requires rules on revolving doors, cooling-off periods, and lobbying registration to regulate public-private interactions.
  10. Mandates minimum anti-corruption measures: gift policies, conflict-of-interest disclosure, asset verification, and reporting systems.
  11. Requires laws protecting whistleblowers and promoting media pluralism and freedom.
  12. Requires cooperation among authorities, including data sharing and joint actions, and reporting to Parliament and Council.

Who is affected

  • Member states: must implement new definitions, prevention measures, and reporting systems.
  • Public officials: subject to conflict-of-interest rules, asset disclosure, and potential wealth assessments.
  • Whistleblowers and journalists: protected and supported.
  • EU bodies (Europol, Eurojust, EPPO, OLAF, Commission): must cooperate and report on anti-corruption efforts.