One year ago, on May 15th, 2024, eight EU institutions signed an agreement to establish an Ethics Body, aiming to create independent oversight of lobbying and integrity rules in Brussels. Since then, however, no significant progress has been made—the Ethics Body remains non-operational. On Wednesday, the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs is set to vote on Rules of Procedure changes that would finally get things started. But EPP, ECR, PfE and ESN MEPs have announced their intention to vote against the changes attempting to block the Ethics Body before it even begins its work.

In this press briefing I would like to address the most pressing questions around the Ethics Body:

• Why has the Ethics Body not started working and what does it have to do with the new majorities in the European Parliament?
• A watchdog for MEPs? An end to separation of powers? What are the most common arguments around the Ethics Body?
• Which current cases in the Commission and the Parliament would fall within the Ethics Body mandate?
• What happens if there is no majority for the rules of procedure changes on Wednesday?
• Are there alternative ways to establish independent lobby control in Brussels?

When and where?

Tuesday, May 13th at 14h30 (for 30-45mns) on Zoom. Please register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VTd4RUouT5GpZLm94f1TEA