Ethics Body proposals leave room for improvement

The EPP Group welcomes the long-awaited Commission proposal on the Independent Ethics Body but warns that such a body is no spell to prevent all abuses.

“The Commission’s proposal reflects the debate in the Parliament and is therefore appropriate. However, we should note that an ethics body would not have prevented abuses like Qatargate. There is a real risk of the politicisation of an authority that governs ethics and not legal standards”, warned Sven Simon MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on Constitutional Affairs.

Other concerns regarding the scope of the panel remain alive, in particular on the power to investigate and punish officials. This practice is reminiscent of recent evolutions in some Member States. “We strongly caution against a Polish-style disciplinary chamber for MEPs. The core problem that was revealed during Qatargate, namely unchecked influence through NGOs and other actors, is not addressed through the proposal”, Sven Simon stressed.