MEPs, campaigners attack revised code of conduct for commissioners

Publication date: 
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Author: 
Constant Brand
Media title: 
European Voice

MEPs and transparency campaigners have attacked changes to the European Commission's code of conduct for commissioners, claiming that the rules are still inadequate to prevent conflicts of interests.

Excerpt: 

Paul de Clerck (spokesperson of ALTER-EU) of Friends of the Earth Europe, a campaign group, said that the 18-month period was too short to prevent potential conflicts of interest. His group has called for a three-year moratorium. He added that the rules still left openings for ex-commissioners to engage in lobbying and called for a total ban during the cooling-off period.