The High Authority meets with a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)

On December 15, 2023, the High Authority welcomed several members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO): Sven Simon (EPP), Cyrus Engerer (S&D), Helmut Scholz (European United Left), Sandro Gozi (Renew) and Gilles Lebreton (Identity and Democracy).

The President of the High Authority, Didier Migaud, recalled the missions of the High Authority. He then outlined the institution’s activities since its creation 10 years ago by the laws on transparency in public life of October 11, 2013.

Discussions with the MEPs addressed the question of the balance between transparency, respect for fundamental rights and maintaining the attractiveness of the public service. The deputies also discussed the way the High Authority works, with a view to their ongoing discussions on ethical reforms within the European Parliament. The President was asked about the regulation of lobbying in France and the definition of conflict of interest.

The MEPs highlighted the fact that the French model had been a source of inspiration in the debates surrounding the European inter-institutional ethics body, for which a proposal was unveiled by the European Commission on June 8, 2023.

The High Authority had also been heard jointly by the AFCO Committee and the Special Committee on Foreign Interference (ING2) to describe the tools at its disposal to shed light on the processes of foreign influence.