International newsletter of the HATVP – March-April 2025
March was marked by the 13th session of the Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In March and April, the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) adopted several evaluation and compliance reports on Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Albania, Norway, Germany, North Macedonia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Austria, and Spain.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
On 14 March 2025, the European Parliament announced the temporary suspension of access to its buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg for all lobbyists and representatives of Huawei. The Chinese group is suspected of engaging in corruption within the European Parliament to defend its interests. This is a « precautionary measure » with « immediate effect », a Parliament spokesperson told Agence France-Presse. The Chinese group currently has nine accredited representatives, according to the institution’s transparency register, and is therefore authorized to meet with MEPs. The European Commission has also banned the Chinese group’s lobbyists from its premises, a spokesperson said. (Le Monde, 14 March 2025)
On 8 April 2025, the European Ombudsman published her annual report for 2024. Issues of transparency and accountability were addressed in the largest percentage of inquiries (42.2%). In 2024, the Ombudsman opened 415 inquiries, including four on her own initiative. The average duration of an inquiry is less than six months, and half are closed within three months. Among the key issues addressed in the inquiries, the report provides an overview on how the Commission takes authorisation decisions on dangerous chemicals and the inquiry into how the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) meet its fundamental rights obligations when it comes to search and rescue operations. The report also examines how the Council of the European Union ensures sponsorship of its rotating presidency does not lead to conflicts of interest and how the Commission and Council handle public access requests for legislative documents. (European Ombudsman, 8 April 2025)
On 7 April 2025, the European Court of Auditors published a special report assessing the transparency of European Union funding granted to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The report highlights that, despite some improvements, transparency remains compromised due to inconsistencies in the classification of NGOs and issues impacting data quality. It highlights that the European Commission and implementing bodies do not proactively check recipients’ compliance with EU values. The Court of Auditors recommends that the Commission classifies NGOs consistently, improve the quality of EU spending data, and actively verify compliance with EU values. (European Court of Auditors, 7 April 2025)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) held its 99th plenary meeting in Strasbourg from 17 to 19 March 2025 to examine and adopt several reports, including the evaluation report on Kazakhstan concerning the assessment of incriminations and transparency of party funding. Regarding the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in the top executive functions of their central governments and their national police forces, GRECO adopted compliance reports on Azerbaijan, Portugal, Albania, Norway, Germany, North Macedonia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Poland. GRECO also adopted a compliance report on Portugal assessing the country’s progress in implementing its recommendations on the prevention of corruption among members of parliaments, judges, and prosecutors. GRECO adopted its 2024 General Activity Report, which will be presented by the President of GRECO to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. GRECO’s next plenary meeting is scheduled for 3-6 June 2025. (Council of Europe, 25 March 2025).
GRECO published two compliance reports on Denmark, assessing progress in implementing the recommendations contained in its 2014 evaluation report on « Preventing Corruption in respect of members of parliaments, judges, and prosecutors » and in its 2019 report on « Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (persons entrusted with top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies”. GRECO concludes that there has been no progress in Denmark’s level of implementation of the four recommendations concerning members of parliament contained in the fourth evaluation round report from 2014. A specific Code of Conduct for members of parliament must be issued and coupled with counselling, awareness-raising, and supervision measures. The public registration system of occupations and financial interests of MPs needs to be further developed. Concerning the second compliance of the fifth round evaluation report from 2019 on “Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (persons entrusted with top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies”, GRECO concludes that Denmark has implemented satisfactorily only two of the fourteen recommendations. No integrity risk analysis has yet been prepared for members of the government and special advisers, which hinders the development of a dedicated strategy. There is also no Code of Conduct for persons holding top executive functions (PTEFs). The transparency of lobbying activities must also be improved, and provisions must be adopted in the treatment of professional activities carried out by PTEFs after the end of their public functions. (Council of Europe, 25 March 2025)
GRECO published two compliance reports on Austria on 26 March 2025. The Third Interim Compliance Report assesses the country’s progress in implementing the recommendations made in 2017 in the fourth round evaluation report on the prevention of corruption of members of parliament, judges, and prosecutors. GRECO regrets that the vast majority of the recommendations have been partially implemented or not implemented. Another compliance report on Austria, also published, describes progress in implementing the recommendations made to the country in 2023 in the fifth round evaluation report on the prevention of corruption and the promotion of integrity in central government (top executive functions) and law enforcement. In this report, GRECO notes that Austria has implemented satisfactorily only one of the 19 recommendations contained in the fifth round evaluation report. GRECO concludes that Austria must make further progress over the next 18 months to achieve an adequate level of compliance with the recommendations and submit additional information by 31 May 2026. (Council of Europe, 26 March 2025)
On 16 April 2025, GRECO published two follow-up reports assessing Spain’s compliance with its recommendations to prevent corruption regarding the top executive functions of the central government, law enforcement agencies, parliamentarians, judges, and prosecutors. In a compliance report adopted in December 2023, GRECO concluded that Spain had not yet implemented any of the recommendations it issued for the country in 2019 to prevent corruption and promote integrity in top executive functions of the central government and law enforcement agencies. Due to the poor implementation of its recommendations, GRECO placed Spain under its 5th evaluation round non-compliance procedure and asked the authorities to report on the progress to comply with them by 31 December 2024. The corresponding follow-up report will be considered by GRECO at its 100th plenary session (Strasbourg, 2-5 June 2025).
In a follow-up report assessing the implementation of the recommendations issued to Spain in 2013 to prevent corruption in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors, GRECO found no progress in the level of compliance since 2022, when the latest follow-up report was adopted. This follow-up report terminates the 4th round compliance procedure in respect of Spain (members of parliament, judges, and prosecutors). (Council of Europe, 16 April 2025)
On 26-27 March 2025, the OECD hosted the 13th session of the Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, focusing on the theme « Harnessing innovations to break new ground » This annual Forum gathers hundreds of anti-corruption representatives and experts from around the world. Discussions highlighted the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital forensics in combating corruption, strengthening integrity, and the need for better law enforcement. The Forum also emphasised the role of the private sector as a key partner in anti-corruption efforts. (OECD, 26 March 2025)
EUROPE
By decree of the President of the Republic dated 26 March 2025, Mr. Jean Maïa is appointed President of the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life, effective 1 April 2025. He succeeds Mr. Jean-Louis Nadal, Mr. Didier Migaud, and Mr. Patrick Matet, who have been acting President of the High Authority since 24 September 2024. (High Authority for Transparency in Public Life, 26 March 2025)
SERBIA
On 16 April 2025, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called on Serbia to respect the « rule of law ». She stated that the European Union’s (EU) expectations of Serbia are « almost the same » as those expressed by thousands of protesters across the country for months. « Serbia must be brought back onto a European trajectory », urged the official, who is in charge of accession negotiations with this EU candidate state. Serbia has been rocked since November by a wave of anti-corruption protests, after 16 people died when the concrete roof of the recently renovated Novi Sad railway station collapsed. The government resigned on 19 March 2025, under pressure from the protests. The opposition is now calling for the establishment of a transitional government to organise new elections. (France info, 16 April 2025)