CoE: Hungary falls short of meeting recommendations on corruption prevention

Hungary’s amended conflict of interest law concerning lawmakers improves clarity regarding the consequences of abuses, the Council of Europe said on Tuesday.

Generally, however, Hungary falls short of meeting Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) recommendations on corruption prevention, it said, referring to GRECO’S Second Interim Compliance Report.

Only five of the 18 recommendations made in 2015 have been implemented satisfactorily, it said, urging more determined measures to improve the level of transparency and consultation in the legislative process, including the introduction of rules on interactions with lobbyists.

It also calls for the adoption of a code of conduct for lawmakers so as to prevent conflicts of interest.

The asset declarations of MPs should be based on unified rules and immunity regulations should be revised, the report said.

Regarding judicial matters, GRECO said no progress had been made in implementing three recommendations concerning the authority of the National Judicial Office’s president to appoint and promote judges as well as re-assign judges in hearings.

It welcomed changes regarding disciplinary proceedings related to the public prosecutor but said no progress had been made in implementing recommendations on extending the prosecutor’s term of office or the broad immunity of prosecutors.

GRECO has called on Hungary to submit a progress report on the implementation of pending recommendations by September 30 next year.

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Source: MTI