Stop corruption before it starts

The EPP Group wants the EU's first anti-corruption strategy to stop corruption before it starts and enforce the rules across all Member States. Up to €990 billion is lost to corruption in the EU every year, money that could otherwise fund schools, hospitals, roads and public services. Parliament votes on its proposals today.

"These are not abstract figures. This is money that should be financing our public services, supporting our economies and improving the lives of European citizens. Europe does not need another strategy that merely describes the problem. We need a strategy capable of changing the reality on the ground," said the EPP Group's Javier Zarzalejos MEP, who negotiated the European Parliament's position.

For the EPP Group, prevention is at the centre. We call for stronger safeguards in public procurement, EU funds management, lobbying, political financing and conflicts of interest. We want corruption to be investigated and prosecuted by independent, well-resourced authorities, free from political pressure.

"There can be no culture of integrity if corruption is prosecuted on the one hand while accountability is weakened on the other. The perception of impunity can be as damaging to democratic legitimacy as corruption itself," Zarzalejos added.

"Corruption does not stop at national borders and needs a European response. It is essential that Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the EU's anti-fraud office (OLAF) work together to recover criminal assets and prevent convicted companies from winning public contracts in another Member State," Zarzalejos concluded.

The European Commission is expected to present the strategy by the end of 2026.