Corruption
Misuse of position for personal profit and the resulting danger of such misuse for EU funds is a great problem the EU seeks to deal with, particularly through the budgetary control committee in the European Parliament.
According to transparency.org "corruption blossoms wherever lack of transparency reigns".
The Santer Commission had to resign in 1999 under public pressure, following an investigation into administrative failings such as incompetence and malpractice.
The institutions having the authority or influence to introduce transparency into the EU and its proceedings, including its Accounts, are:
- Parliament, with its current power of Censure
but also:
- public servants (see Whistleblowers)
- European citizens
Links
See also Marta Andreasen, Paul van Buitenen, Michel Sautelet, Dorte Schmidt-Brown, Dougal Watt and Censure, Transparency, Whistleblowers.