Activities of Stefania ZAMBELLI related to 2020/2133(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on strengthening transparency and integrity in the EU institutions by setting up an independent EU ethics body
Amendments (9)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that high standards of transparency and integrity in the EU institutions are essential to enabling citizens to exercise their democratic right to participate in the EU’s decision-making process and thus to enhancing the democratic legitimacy and credibility of the Union while restoring confidence in the European integration process; recalls that, in her Political Guidelines for the 2019-2024 Commission, the President of the Commission stressed that if citizens were to have faith in the EU, its institutions should be open and beyond reproach on ethics, transparency and integrity; recalls that the right to petition provides citizens with the most accessible way to enter into and maintain a direct dialogue with representatives from the EU institutions and thus contributes to improving openness, responsiveness and accountability while bridging the gap between citizens and EU institutions;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises that high standards of transparency and integrity in the EU institutions are essential to enabling citizens to exercise their democratic right to participate in the EU’s decision-making process and thus to enhancing the democratic legitimacy and credibility of the Union while restoring confidence in the European integration process; recalls that, in her Political Guidelines for the 2019- 2024 Commission, the President of the Commission stressed that if citizens were to have faith in the EU, its institutions should be open and beyond reproach on ethics, transparency and integrity; recalls that the right to petition provides citizens with the most accessible way to enter into and maintain a direct dialogue with representatives from the EU institutions and thus contributes to improving openness, responsiveness and accountability while bridging the gap between citizens and EU institutions; nonetheless underlines the fact that still a large portion of citizens is not aware of the instrument represented by the right to petition;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the particular interest that citizens have for transparency and integrity in the functioning of the EU institutions as revealed by a number of petitions received by the Committee on Petitions that call for more transparency1 , in particular in the decision-making of the Council and its contacts with lobbyists; raises its concerns over the appointment procedures of EU senior officials2 and over alleged conflicts of interests of Commissioners and breaches of MEPs’ code of conduct3 ; notes also that, as in previous years, the majority of inquiries closed by the European Ombudsman in 2019 concerned transparency and accountability, including public access to information and documents; stresses also the importance of remaining vigilant about the revolving doors phenomenon; _________________ 1Petitions Nos 0134/2019, 0939/2018, 0161/2017, 1367/2015, 0696/2015, 0698/2013. 2Petitions Nos 0224/2018 and 0799/2018, 0799/2018. 3Petitions Nos 0742/2017, 1004/2016, 2485/2014, 1984/2014.
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the particular interest that citizens have for transparency and integrity in the functioning of the EU institutions as revealed by a number of petitions received by the Committee on Petitions that call for more transparency1 , in particular in the decision-making of the Council and its contacts with lobbyists and stakeholders; raises its concerns over the appointment procedures of EU senior officials2 and over alleged conflicts of interests of Commissioners and breaches of MEPs’ code of conduct3 ; notes also that, as in previous years, the majority of inquiries closed by the European Ombudsman in 2019 concerned transparency and accountability, including public access to information and documents; _________________ 1Petitions Nos 0134/2019, 0939/2018, 0161/2017, 1367/2015, 0696/2015, 0698/2013. 2Petitions Nos 0224/2018 and 0799/2018, 0799/2018. 3Petitions Nos 0742/2017, 1004/2016, 2485/2014, 1984/2014.
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need to ensure greater transparency regarding European Union agencies, especially with regard to their remit, activities and funding; regrets the recent scandals involving the European Economic and Social Committee; calls, therefore, for all EU agencies and advisory committees, which often elude democratic control, to meet higher standards of transparency and integrity;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the EU institutions should apply the highest ethical standards to prevent any episodes of revolving doors and any conflicts of interests, also with regard to the appointments to senior positions in the EU institutions and agencies; expresses its concern that any such episodes, even if legally admissible, are undermining the overall credibility of the EU institutions and often used by anti- European propaganda as a means of introducing euro-scepticism to the public;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the important role that the European Ombudsman plays in ensuring high standards of transparency and integrity in the EU institutions; calls on its Committee on Constitutional Affairs committee to consider and to take into account the experience provided by the European Ombudsman when reflecting on the possible establishment of an independent ethics body; suggests the setting up of an EU interinstitutional working group that is tasked with discussing and formulating recommendations on all aspects related to the subject matter;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importantfundamental role played by Parliament as the only institution representative of the citizens of the EU, including in its oversight of the Commission and other institutions on behalf of the public;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7