New framework needed to tackle corruption within the EU and its institutions

Ahead of today’s debate in the European Parliament on the update of the anti-corruption framework, the Renew Europe group stresses the need for decisive action to fight corruption across the union, as well as within the EU institutions, by strengthening the existing toolbox. In this regard, the proposal presented by the European Commission last week contains several crucial sets of measures, such as criminalising all forms of corruption offences and harmonising penalties across the EU. It also includes rules preventing corruption in the EU institutions, to be applicable to MEPs and EU officials, to avoid any future bribery scandals.

The Renew Europe MEP Ramona Strugariu (REPER, Romania), emphasises:

“The new package proposed by the Commission should aim to create a strong ambition for a Union where corruption has no place, where public officials are held to the highest standards of integrity, where transparency and respect for public money are the rules of the house, and where the rule of law prevails. The public mandate is a space where none of us should allow oneself to make use of power in one’s personal interest. It is precisely the space where politicians should ensure that corruption is heavily sanctioned when it happens. Let us take this challenge, be credible and empower our citizens, journalists, watchdogs, to fight corruption. It is only through this unwavering commitment that we can truly achieve a prosperous, fair and just Europe.”