GRECO wants “effective integrity checks” for those joining government
The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) is calling on Portugal to improve the effectiveness of its system to prevent corruption in main executive functions of government as well as in law enforcement agencies.
In its fifth round evaluation report, released today, GRECO recognises that Portugal has developed an extensive legal and institutional anti-corruption framework, but the effectiveness of this framework depends heavily on the full operation of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism and the Transparency Authority, neither of which have reached full operation.
GRECO emphasises that all people in top executive positions should be subject to effective integrity checks before joining government, as well as bound by post-employment restrictions. They should also be required to submit declarations of assets and interests.
In a statement, GRECO equally calls for improvements in public consultation processes and people’s access to public information (a requirement long demanded by civic groups).
Another issue of concern for the entity is the transparency of contacts between senior executive officials, lobbyists and third parties, which it believes deserves further progress, says Lusa.
With regard to Portugal’s principal police forces, PSP Public Security Police and the GNR National Republican Guard, the document argues that authorities need to take steps to achieve transparent and objective recruitment procedures at management level; there needs to be increased representation of women at all levels and internal whistleblowing mechanisms should be established.
In final analysis, checks on the integrity of law enforcement officials need to be strengthened as well as applied at regular intervals.
GRECO also argues that integrity standards in these law enforcement agencies, especially with regard to external activities – as well as oversight regimes – need to be strengthened, with improved access assured to public information.
Finally, the entity advocates an improvement in the regulation of donations and sponsorship, to “increase transparency and address the risks of conflicts of interest.”
Fulfilment of what amounts to 28 recommendations for Portugal to implement will be monitored by GRECO, for a formal review in 2025.
These recommendations do not come ‘out of a vacuum’: there have been endless incidents of alleged corruption/ bending the rules/ turning a blind eye, in government and public administration in recent years. Almost every week brings another ‘case’ to light. Recent surveys and polls also have shown the Portuguese people see corruption at the highest levels of public life as a scourge that is only getting worse.
Internationally, media channels have interpreted GRECO’s report today as a signal that Portugal (ie the government) has been “delaying” the fight against corruption. One, particularly, refers to the ‘latest government scandal’, the one that brought down the absolute Socialist majority, referring to “alleged irregularities” in the executive’s “handling of several significant investment projects“.
Source material: LUSA/ firstpost.com
