On Wednesday 13 July, the European Commission presented its annual report on the rule of law in the Union. This year, Hungary and Poland are singled out, while France and the Netherlands are being scrutinized for their lobbying rules.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
The Commission’s assessment is harsh for both Poland and Hungary. The European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders even goes so far as to consider that these two countries present problems ” systemic » in terms of the independence of the judiciary and the media and the fight against corruption. However, he believes it is possible to correct these problems, but only by maintaining the pressure and the procedures before the Court of Justice of the EU.
” I would take the example of the external funding of non-governmental organizations in Hungary where a new law has been introduced to respond to the Court’s decision, explains Didier Reynders. Or even in the case of justice in Poland, the provisions concerning the retirement of judges have been sanctioned by the Court, but there has been a reorganization in the Polish framework. When there is no order, we will continue to use all the instruments, the infringement procedures, but also the budgetary instruments. »
Hungary is particularly criticized for the lack of state transparency concerning lobbying, corruption, declarations of financial interests and the report points to clientelism, favoritism and nepotism at the top of the Hungarian administration. Hungary immediately denounced the European Commission’s rule of law report, saying it is an ongoing smear campaign. The picture is not much better for Poland, which in particular is seeing the situation of the press deteriorate.
Compliance with lobbying rules
Coincidentally, this report on the rule of law in the EU is presented three days after the start of the revelations of the Uber Files. And its conclusions concerning France are clear: the country is behind in applying the recommendations of the Group of States against Corruption (Greco) which brings together the Council of Europe and the United States.
Of 17 recommendations addressed to France by Greco, only nine have been implemented, and only partially. For example, the definition of lobbies and influence groups in France only covers entities and not individuals. This could give a disproportionate advantage to the biggest lobbies in their contacts with the authorities.
Then, the publication of lists of meetings between lobbyists and people exercising national responsibilities at the highest level still does not exist. Finally, many lobbying activities are already subject to declaration, even at local level, but the High Authority for the Transparency of Public Life lacks staff, financial and technical means, according to the European Commission.
For her, there is progress to be made for codes of conduct for the highest executive functions, for the verification of declarations of financial interests, and for access to conflicts of interest and corruption cases affecting members of the French government.