CODES OF CONDUCT FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS IN THE EU

Of the 28 EU member states, only 8 have codes of conduct in place for parliamentarians. In some countries, rules of procedure cover ethical issues (Denmark and Finland). In Bulgaria and Slovenia, there have been repeated attempts to pass comprehensive codes of conduct, but the parliaments have failed to adopt them. Even where codes of conduct exist, they often include gaps, as is the case with Germany. Codes of conduct should by no means be considered a panacea to combating corruption and wrongdoing by MPs, but their value as an integrity mechanism should not be underestimated.

EU Member States having a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians

• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• United Kingdom

EU Member States WITHOUT a Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians

• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Hungary
• Italy
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

Promising Practices

In Poland, MPs are subject to the principles of parliamentarians' ethics. The principles set rules of behaviour for deputies, and provide occupational principles for MPs: selflessness, openness, integrity, care for the good name of the parliament and accountability. Moreover, parliamentarians are obliged to report in the register of benefits, information about the positions they hold and the relevant remuneration; financial interests; donations received; and trips financed from other sources than their own, the institution they are employed by or the party of which they are a member. Cases of conflict of interest are regulated through a number of different regulations. Deputies who fail to conform to the code of ethics have to answer to the Deputies' Ethics Committee, which can, in a resolution, caution, reprimand or admonish them. Such a resolution is then published in Kronika Sejmowa and in the Parliamentary Information System.