The introduction of the first-ever code of conduct for members of the European parliament in 2012 came as a breakthrough. Jerzy Buzek, then president of the European parliament, called for the new guidelines to become a “strong shield against unethical behaviour”.
Two years on, however, and that shield lies crumpled and abandoned on the floor of Martin Schulz’s office. Ineffective monitoring of the code, combined with inadequate enforcement, has left the integrity and credibility of both the code, and the parliament, at risk.
"Ineffective monitoring of the code combined with inadequate enforcement has left the integrity and credibility of both the code, and the parliament, at risk"
Since the introduction of the code, Martin Schulz has significantly weakened the code - stating it is only there to make conflicts of interest transparent and not to prevent them. He has also has ignored recommendations to impose sanctions on particular MEPs for the behaviour that breaches the code. A code that only makes transgressions transparent but does nothing to stop them fails to achieve anything: MEPs no longer have meaningful incentives to comply, nor little to fear from inadequate sanctions for breaches.
There are numerous examples of MEPs that have slipped through the net in the last two years. These include one who failed to disclose stock options worth several million euros, four who maintain second jobs with industry and lobby groups, and one who filed over 200 amendments handed to him by industry lobby groups. In all of those cases the president of the European parliament has refused to take action.
"The majority of people across Europe are already concerned about ethics and lobbying in European Union policy-making"
The majority of people across Europe are already concerned about ethics and lobbying in European Union policy-making, and want better regulation of lobbyists, as well as increased transparency. Cases like this just compound those concerns.
As the elections roll-out over the next week, a bold step is needed to rebuild trust in the European parliament. MEPs need to commit to take firm action to tackle excessive corporate lobbying influence and conflicts of interest in the next parliament. The new president must have a more ambitious approach to ensuring strong ethics rules are enforced. This means revising the code to include external monitoring and a proper complaints body, as well as clarifications about which situations and outside employment fall under the definition of a conflict of interest.
Although the line-up of politicians in Brussels will differ during the next parliamentary term, one thing looks set to stay the same - the lack of mandatory and enforceable transparency and ethics rules at the European level will make it possible for thousands of corporate lobbyists to continue to operate out of the spotlight, outweighing citizens’ voices and interests.
This is unless more effective monitoring and stronger enforcement of ethics rules are implemented. If Europe wants to guard against undue influence of big business on the climate, environment, food, and other critical issues affecting Europe’s citizens, then improved transparency and accountability are crucial.