The European Union’s anti-corruption directive has faced strong opposition from the German government, according to a confidential document obtained by a German news outlet. German officials at the Ministry of Justice expressed reservations about the proposal to criminalize the abuse of office across the EU, instead opting for a reserved position on the directive.
The German government has also rejected the idea that each EU member state must develop a strategy to combat corruption. The Netherlands, Italy and Luxembourg have also expressed concerns about the article on the abuse of office, echoing Germany’s reservations. Only Hungary and Austria, however, have placed a reservation on the entire directive, while most countries have signaled their approval.
The trilogue process, which is ongoing, will continue next week. The German Ministry of Justice declined to comment, citing the ongoing nature of the EU internal procedure. A ministry spokesperson emphasized the importance of combating corruption, stating that the German government is committed to the cause.
Critics, such as the Green Party’s EU representative Daniel Freund, have condemned the German government’s stance, calling it a scandal that the German government is working with the Hungarian government to impede anti-corruption efforts.