MEPs vote for Ethics body, call on Commission not to drag its feet

Today, Members of the European Parliament have voted for an independent EU Ethics Body to tackle issues of integrity, transparency and accountability across the EU institutions. The vote, in the wake of the corruption scandal involving MEPs and payments from third countries known as ‘Qatargate’, follows on from a report from Greens/EFA Rapporteur Daniel Freund, for such a body back in 2021. The Greens/EFA Group are calling on the Commission to come out with proposals for a strong and effective independent EU Ethics Body without delay. 

Daniel Freund MEP, Greens/EFA rapporteur for an EU Ethics Body, comments: 

"The Commission is dragging their feet on a key reform to fight corruption in the EU institutions. From Qatargate to the revolving door for José Manuel Barroso and Neelie Kroes, it’s quite clear that the current system of self-monitoring and self-sanctioning has failed. The Commission promised independent oversight and proper enforcement of the rules years ago but they have not delivered. 

“The current rules under the code of conduct for MEPs and EU officials must be enforced by an independent body. An EU Ethics Body is the only way to rebuild trust in the institutions. It is unacceptable that the Commission has not come forward with a proposal for almost a year and a half.”