The European Parliament calls for stricter rules to combat corruption

On Thursday, October 8, the European Parliament adopted a resolution setting out priorities for the European Commission’s future strategy on combating corruption in the European Union. The document aims to strengthen prevention, integrity, and law enforcement in the context of the European directive on combating corruption entering into force in May 2026.

MEPs call for evidence-based risk mapping, stricter rules for public procurement and grants, as well as common standards on conflicts of interest, gifts, lobbying, asset declarations, and political financing. Parliament also calls for greater transparency regarding political foundations and intermediaries.

The resolution emphasizes cooperation among national authorities, Europol, Eurojust, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and OLAF. MEPs call for additional resources for the EPPO, independence for anti-corruption bodies, and the accession of EU countries that do not yet participate in this mechanism.

Parliament links corruption to organized crime, money laundering, and asset concealment. Measures are requested to freeze and recover the proceeds of crime, as well as stricter controls on crypto-assets and opaque ownership structures. MEPs call for greater protection for whistleblowers and investigative journalists, monitoring through GRECO, and common indicators for assessing anti-corruption policies.