International newsletter of the HATVP – November – December 2025
IN BRIEF
In November, the French governement adopted the second multi-annual national anti-corruption plan, covering the period 2025-2029.
In December, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement on the proposed directive to fight against corruption, after more than two years of negotiations. The month was also marked by events organized around the world on 9 December, which marks International Anti-Corruption Day.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
European Parliament
On 2 December 2025, the European Parliament and the EU Council reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s first ever directive harmonising criminal laws to fight corruption, thus strengthening efforts to prevent and punish corruption across the EU. The directive was one of the measures included in the anti-corruption package presented on 3 May 2023 by the European Commission. It sets harmonised definitions and sanctions for offences (bribery, misappropriation of funds, and obstruction of justice), as well as clearer operational rules. The directive will also help limit situations where offenders exploit differences between national systems. During the negotiations, Parliament ensured that EU-wide corruption data will be published annually in accessible formats, improving transparency and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
As per Parliament’s demands, the directive also requires every member state to publish a national anti-corruption strategy, developed in consultation with civil society and the relevant authorities. The directive reinforces cooperation among national authorities and EU bodies including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol and Eurojust. The negotiators also agreed on rules on liability of legal persons and better alignment with legislation protecting EU financial interests.The provisional agreement must now be formally approved by Parliament and the Council before entering into force. (European Parliament, 2 December 2025)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Council of Europe
On 5 December 2025, The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) announced it had terminated its 5th round compliance procedure concerning Iceland, in light of the progress achieved in implementing recommendations on preventing corruption within top executive functions in central government and law enforcement agencies. GRECO concludes that Iceland has satisfactorily implemented thirteen of the eighteen recommendations contained in its 2018 evaluation report, four have been partly implemented, while one remains unimplemented.With regard to persons entrusted with top executive functions in government, GRECO acknowledges a number of positive developments, such as the adoption of the Act on Conflicts of Interest in the Government Offices, revision of the relevant codes of ethics, and measures to raise awareness of integrity rules among various categories of public officials, notably through more regular training.
In addition, confidential counselling on integrity matters has been put in place for senior government officials, guidelines for their interaction with lobbyists have been adopted, and rules on the submission of declarations of financial interests have been introduced. GRECO also welcomes the considerable progress made in implementing recommendations addressed to law enforcement agencies. (GRECO, 17 December 2025)
On 11 December 2025, GRECO published its follow-up report on France. The report assesses progress made in implementing the recommendations addressed to the country in its 2019 Fifth Round Evaluation Report on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies. GRECO concludes that France has satisfactorily implemented or dealt with in a satisfactory manner four of the eighteen recommendations set out in the evaluation Report. Nine recommendations have been partly implemented, and five recommendations have not been implemented. GRECO notes some progress, particularly in raising awareness of integrity issues. Furthermore, the multi-annual national anti-corruption plan, adopted on 16 June 2025, was published on 14 November 2025. However, further efforts are needed in several areas fundamental to promoting integrity and preventing corruption in the executive as well as in the national police and national gendarmerie. (GRECO, 11 December 2025)
To mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2025, GRECO has released a new thematic paper on whistleblower protection in law enforcement.This publication outlines GRECO’s findings and approach to whistleblower protection within the context of its Fifth Evaluation Round, focused on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (persons with top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies. It covers three main areas : the legal framework for whistleblower protection ; training, information and advice for potential whistleblowers ; and systems for monitoring how well protections are working in practice. It also spotlights examples of good or promising practices from member states that could guide future reforms.
The paper notes that while progress has been made, important gaps remain. GRECO has repeatedly called for adequate rules on whistleblower protection, clearer reporting channels, strong safeguards against both direct and subtle forms of retaliation, and strict confidentiality for those coming forward. In several countries, GRECO has asked authorities to prohibit reprisals within police services and to take concrete steps to protect whistleblowers. It also highlights the need to raise awareness, provide specialised training, and collect and monitor data and cases to ensure that protection measures are effectively implemented. (GRECO, 10 December 2025)
On 4 December 2025, GRECO has published its latest report assessing Liechtenstein’s compliance with the recommendations issued to the country in 2020 to prevent corruption in respect of parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors.GRECO concludes that Liechtenstein has so far fully implemented ten of the sixteen recommendations contained in the Fourth Round Evaluation Report. Of the other recommendations, five have been partly implemented, and one remains not implemented.
The report notes some steps forward regarding parliamentarians, including the adoption of a code of conduct. On the other hand, no tangible progress has been made to increase transparency in the legislative process at the level of parliamentary commissions. Resolute steps are still necessary to expand confidential counselling for parliamentarians and effectively implement training and awareness-raising measures on integrity rules. Moreover, the regime of public declarations should be strengthened, giving proper consideration to including relevant information on spouses and dependent family members in the declarations submitted by parliamentarians.
The report welcomes that almost all recommendations regarding prosecutors have been fully implemented. Only one recommendation remains partly implemented : amending Article 50 of the Public Prosecutors Act to provide additional safeguards in the event that the government terminates a public prosecutor’s employment. GRECO asks the national authorities to report on progress in implementing the outstanding recommendations by 30 June 2026. (GRECO, 4 December 2025)
United Nations (UN)
The Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (the UN Anti-Corruption Conference) assembled in Doha, Qatar, on 15-19 December 2025. Delegations representing member states as well as civil society discussed the implementation of the Convention.The gathering concluded with the adoption of the ’Doha Declaration 2025’ which calls for strengthening international cooperation in the fight against corruption. It also encourages the use of digital technologies to detect corruption and the establishment of secure information-sharing channels between anti-corruption authorities. Eleven resolutions have been adopted by the Conference, among which a resolution on corruption prevention and integrity promotion among children and young people, notably presented by the Austrian Federal Bureau of Anti-Corruption and the Slovenian Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. (United Nation, December 2025)
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS
Transparency international
Transparency International has published a report entitled « When corruption paralyses the green transition » identifying 14 mechanisms of corruption, for each of which the organisation provides a definition based on French law, examples and recommendations for putting an end to them. (Transparency International, November 2025)
EUROPE
France
On 13 November 2025, the French Government announced the publication of a second multi-annual national anti-corruption plan, covering the period 2025-2029. This plan should be implemented along four lines : strengthening the fight against corruption and breaches of integrity within the State administration, support for local authorities in the fight against breaches of integrity, protection for economic actors against breaches of integrity, and the fight against corruption at international level. The document sets out 36 objectives, with the involvement of all relevant French government departments. (French governement, 13 november 2025)
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s prime minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced on Thursday, December 11 2025, the resignation of his government, the day following a new demonstration denouncing corruption in the Bulgarian state apparatus. Tens of thousands rallied outside the parliament building in Sofia against the government, in a series of rallies unprecedented in the country in recent years. A wave of discontent, marked by strong youth mobilisation, began at the end of November, triggered by the government’s attempt to fast-track the adoption of the 2026 budget, the first budget denominated in euros. The euro will be introduced as the country’s official currency from 1 January 2026. (Le Monde, 11 December 2025)