Brussels
06 December 2021
The European Green Party and its member parties, gathered for the 34th European Green Party Council, jointly agreed to ramp up their efforts to fight against corruption and for transparency and citizen participation. Corruption and the lack of transparency, in particular when it comes to the use of EU funds, is a plague that directly negatively impacts citizens’ opportunities.
In the upcoming years, large streams of EU funds supporting the post-COVID recovery and the just transition will flow towards EU Member States. To ensure this funding delivers on its promise of a green recovery and transition, through quality jobs and infrastructures, concrete and effective anti-corruption and transparency mechanisms must be implemented.
Thomas Waitz, co-chair of the European Green Party and MEP, comments:
"The rule of law is the fundamental pillar of our common European Union. High-level corruption, misuse of EU funds, and non-transparent privatization of state property in favor of a few befriended oligarchs is harmful to all citizens and undermines our values and rule of law-based fundament.
Reinforcing our work on anti-corruption, at the European and national level, is a message of support to all citizens whose opportunities are hampered by governments that have consistently sought to undermine the rule of law and transparency.
The European Commission must use its powers to uphold EU values by stopping the disbursement of EU funds in case of non-compliance with the rule of law. Not only its credibility depends on it, but also the success of the recovery and just transition funding mechanisms.”
Erzsébet Schmuck, co-chair of LMP, the Hungarian Green Party, adds:
“Sadly, Hungary is the textbook example of why this resolution is needed. The Fidesz government has effectively destroyed transparency and captured the use of EU funds. Friends of the regime are widely benefitting of these funds, enriching a few wealthy individuals for not benefits for the Hungarian citizens.
This resolution will help us strengthen our work in the opposition coalition. We will be able to show Hungarian citizens that there is concrete path to ending corruption and restoring high democratic standards.”
END
Find here the approved resolution on Anti-corruption, transparency and participation need to be at the heart of distributing EU funds
Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue Wiertz 31, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
