Last night (Monday), negotiations between the European Parliament, the Commission, and the Member States on the European Combating Corruption Directive broke down – for now. The reason is the blockade by the German government. Alongside the governments of Hungary and Italy, Germany opposes, among other things, making “abuse of office” a criminal offense across Europe. The German government is also against the systematic collection of corruption statistics. On its own, it is blocking the requirement to present a national anti-corruption strategy. On these points, the European Parliament is united across party lines.

Daniel Freund, the Green Group’s rapporteur on the Combating Corruption Directive, comments:

“With its obstructionist stance, the CDU-led German government is preventing the EU from adopting effective anti-corruption measures. It is telling that Germany is standing shoulder to shoulder with Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orbán in blocking stronger anti-corruption efforts. European taxpayers lose billions every year due to corruption. Failing to act is irresponsible. The German government should be leading the fight against corruption in the EU – not holding it back.”