EU Approves Groundbreaking Anti-Corruption Law Amid Scandal

BRUSSELS — In a significant development, EU legislators reached an agreement on a comprehensive anti-corruption law, marking the first of its kind for the bloc. This legislation, finalized on March 5, 2024, harmonizes definitions of corruption offenses, sets minimum penalties, and outlines preventive measures across all EU member states. The agreement follows extensive negotiations that lasted over two years and comes during a period of heightened scrutiny due to one of the largest corruption scandals in the EU’s history.

The final version of the law is notably less stringent than the initial proposal by the European Commission, which was presented in May 2023. Amendments to the bill include reduced minimum penalties and optional clauses that allow for varied interpretations by individual countries. “The Council didn’t want this bill,” stated Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, the Parliament’s lead negotiator, in comments to POLITICO. She emphasized the challenges faced during negotiations, noting that there was significant resistance from member states that preferred to avoid stringent harmonization of criminal law standards.

Key Provisions and Challenges

One of the contentious aspects of the law was the requirement for EU nations to recognize and penalize “abuse of office” offenses committed by public officials. This provision faced opposition from Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had eliminated the crime in 2024. Other countries, including Germany and The Netherlands, also raised objections. The final compromise involved removing explicit references to “abuse of office,” instead mandating that countries define and penalize “certain serious violations of the law” related to public officials’ duties.

Despite these setbacks, the Parliament successfully incorporated extensive anti-corruption preventive measures into the legislation. Member states now have two years to implement the law, followed by an additional year to submit their national anti-corruption plans to the Commission. García expressed optimism about the agreement, stating, “I am happy that we have a deal and that we have something on the table to build on.”

Supporters of the law, including Greens MEP Daniel Freund, hailed it as a step forward, asserting that it provides a legal foundation for the Commission to enforce compliance among member states. National courts will also be able to consult the EU’s top court on corruption-related matters, potentially enhancing accountability.

Criticism and Future Implications

Despite the legislation’s passage, critics have voiced concerns regarding its effectiveness. Transparency International EU chief Nick Aïossa remarked that the agreement falls short of what is necessary to adequately combat corruption across the 27 member states, attributing the bill’s dilution to lobbying efforts. Mariusz Kamiński, a right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists MEP, pointed out that the law does not mandate the establishment of independent anti-corruption authorities, questioning how the EU can expect accountability from Ukraine while lacking similar requirements internally.

In light of the ongoing challenges, García described the law as a foundational step towards a more robust regulatory framework against corruption in the EU. Future initiatives may include a proposed ethics body for EU public officials, which has faced delays due to the current political landscape in the Parliament. The Commission is expected to unveil a new anti-corruption strategy in early 2026, signaling ongoing efforts to tackle these pressing issues.