The European Commission plans to introduce new anti-corruption proposals by the end of the year, focusing on strengthening the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

The European Commission will table new anti-corruption proposals before the end of the year, according to EU democracy commissioner Michael McGrath. The initiative follows the release of rule-of-law reports for all 27 member states and aims to revise the regulation governing the Luxembourg-based European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

Strengthening Anti-Fraud Architecture

The upcoming proposals will review the EU's broader anti-fraud architecture, which encompasses various policies and agencies designed to protect taxpayer funds. The EPPO has previously requested increased investment in advanced IT systems, including AI tools for real-time monitoring and the identification of suspicious financial patterns.

Rule of Law and Corruption Concerns

The commission's latest report highlights ongoing challenges across member states, including issues with lobbying regulations and 'revolving door' practices where politicians transition into roles related to their former legislative work. While some countries have taken steps to address transparency, the report notes that obstacles for independent civil society organizations persist in several areas, and legislative progress on lobbying remains incomplete in nations like Spain.

Developments in Hungary

Hungary recently joined the EPPO, a move that follows the government's decision to disband the sovereignty protection office previously used to target civil society and media. Despite these changes, the commission's report indicates that significant issues remain, and the current government faces ongoing scrutiny regarding its efforts to address legacy corruption concerns.