2023-05-03 12:29:01
The EU Commission wants to intensify the fight against corruption. Among other things, this should be done by setting up special anti-corruption agencies in all EU countries and harmonizing definitions and sanctions, including minimum penalties, as the Brussels authority announced today.
At the same time, it should be possible to punish corruption among third-country nationals, for example by freezing assets in the EU.
Specifically, the EU Commission’s proposal provides for a “single legal act for all corruption offenses and sanctions”. In the course of harmonization not only bribery but also embezzlement, trafficking in influence, abuse of office and obstruction of justice and unlawful enrichment in connection with corruption offenses should be covered.
Higher penalties required
In addition, the EU authority calls for higher penalties for offenses and the adjustment within the EU of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The proposal also focuses on ensuring “effective investigation and prosecution of corruption”.
The EU states would have to ensure that privileges and immunities can be lifted in good time during the investigations through an “effective and transparent procedure”.
Minimum rules on the statute of limitations aim to ensure that there is sufficient time to bring corruption offenses to justice.
In the next step, the EU states and the EU Parliament must define their positions before they agree on a common one. After formal votes, the law can then come into force. Regarding third-country nationals, only the member countries have to accept the proposal.
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