In the aftermath of the so-called Qatargate scandal, which sent shockwaves through Turkey and touched the European Parliament at the close of the previous year, Brussels moved decisively to tighten ethical standards across European institutions. A new interagency body was established to guarantee common, open, and transparent ethics, coordinating eight institutions from the European Commission to the European Parliament, the European Central Bank, the Court of Justice, and the Committee of the Regions.
Democracy depends on the public’s trust in institutions. Citizens in Europe view scandals as a challenge to all bodies, not to any single one in isolation. To preserve credibility, the universal application of ethical standards in every area is essential, stated Vera Jourova, the vice president for values and transparency. The commissioner noted that recent months have seen serious accusations and urged Brussels to advance a concrete proposal quickly, planning a July meeting to refine and finalize the content so a timely agreement can be reached.
common and expensive rules
The objective is to remove varying, opaque practices and to establish rules that are common, clear, transparent, and easily understandable. These rules cover gifts, hospitality, travel incentives, insignia, and titles offered by third parties, as well as the transparency of meetings with influence groups. Although the Commission, the Council, and the Parliament already regulate these areas, the aim is to broaden the transparency record and extend it to access to institutional buildings.
The suggested framework would cover roughly 1,500 public offices and Members of the European Parliament, proposing a standardized declaration of assets and interests, defined categories, and control procedures among commissioners and other representatives. Brussels also seeks uniform rules on parallel or external activities by public officials to protect the independence of members and to set conditions and transparency requirements for activities after leaving office. Finally, the plan includes a common enforcement framework and publication of rules by each institution to address potential harassment and sanctions.
Criticism of the model
The new body, which will not conduct investigations itself, would include a president and one representative from each institution, elected for five-year terms, supported by five independent experts and a secretariat. The Commission argues the rules are urgent and hopes for agreement within six months. Critics in the European Parliament have voiced concerns that the proposal may lack power and bite. Asked about the criticisms, the vice president emphasized that action must be swift and transparent, ensuring that the system can reveal missteps and enforce accountability.
Some critics, including a German Green MEP, argued that a self-regulatory model would not suffice to restore public confidence. They warned that without meaningful investigative powers and enforceable sanctions, self-regulation may fall short. Transparency International representatives echoed these concerns, suggesting that while an ethics body could improve oversight, it may not prevent all potential abuses. Supporters counter that the new framework would provide clearer standards, stronger procedures, and a clearer line of accountability for all EU institutions, which is a necessary step toward restoring integrity in governance.