Today, the European Commission has reacted to my report on “Transparency, Accountability and Integrity in the EU Institutions“, which has been adopted by a solid majority of the European Parliament on 14 September 2017. The EU Commission dismisses a large number of demands from the report. MEP Sven Giegold, rapporteur for transparency, accountability and integrity in the EU institutions, as well as spokesperson for Alliance 90 / The Greens in the European Parliament, said:
“The EU Commission misses a big opportunity for greater transparency and stronger ethics rules in European institutions. The Commission’s dismissive reaction is hugely disappointing for everyone fighting for a deeper European Democracy. Not only the EU Parliament, but also NGOs and citizens have contributed to this report. The proposals represent adequate measures against the feeling that there is too much closeness between politics and big business. With dismissing these proposals, the Commission chooses not to make another big step for more transparency and integrity. The Commission decides to leave the revolving doors open.
It seems that the promising speeches by Frans Timmermans were empty phrases. However, there is an urgent need for action. The imbalance between the EU Commission’s lobby meetings with business and civil society is absolutely staggering. Revolving doors are open and widely used. The Commission’s Ethics Committee is not independent. No progress is no option! We will not let the Commission off the hook. We will continue the fight for better transparency and integrity in Europe.”
BACKGROUND
Reply by Commission: https://sven-giegold.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/KOM-reply_A8-0133-2017-EN_AFCO-sent.pdf
Our commented comparison of Commission reply and Parliament resolution: https://sven-giegold.de/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Analyse_COM-reply_2017-12-13_11h.pdf
EP’s resolution of 14.09.2017: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P8-TA-2017-0358&language=EN&ring=A8-2017-0133
Our comment on the adoption of the resolution including a comprehensive list of gains and losses: https://sven-giegold.de/2017/european-parliament-calls-for-major-steps-towards-greater-transparency-and-integrity-in-the-eu/