The European Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s first-ever directive to harmonize criminal laws and combat corruption. This landmark agreement aims to strengthen efforts to prevent, prosecute, and punish corruption offenses across the EU. The new law will standardize definitions of corruption offenses, establish minimum penalties, and implement preventive measures uniformly across member states.
The agreement is a significant step forward, despite being less stringent than initial proposals. It addresses concerns about corruption’s impact on the EU’s financial interests and citizens’ trust. Key aspects include recognizing and penalizing abuse of office, bribery, misappropriation, and obstruction of justice. Member states will have two years to implement the law, followed by an additional year to submit national anti-corruption plans.
This development comes amid recent corruption scandals within EU institutions, highlighting the need for robust anti-corruption measures. The agreement is seen as a foundation for future initiatives, including an ethics body for EU public officials.
