About: conflict of interest

Commission to rule on Czech PM conflict of interest ahead of EU elections

Facing conflict of interest proceedings under tightened EU rules, billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš may soon become the first European politician found in violation of the bloc's new law.

Commission puts Czech PM’s old businesses under the microscope

Auditors from the European Commission are in the Czech Republic to take a closer look at EU subsidies for a holding of companies formerly owned by the current Czech prime minister, which might still constitute a conflict of interest. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.

Billionaire Czech PM faces more legal trouble over use of EU funds

Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš faced renewed pressure over his business dealings on Saturday (1 December) after an EU legal document said he has a conflict of interest due to links to agribusiness companies that received European funds.

MEPs put pressure on Commission to take position on Czech PM fraud case

MEPs have urged the European Commission to investigate Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš for possible conflicts of interest involving EU funds, after being persuaded by the Czech branch of Transparency International and the Czech Pirate Party.

Glyphosate has adverse health effects from doses considered safe, study shows

Glyphosate, the chemical found in the world’s most widely used weed-killer, can have disruptive effects on sexual development, genes and beneficial gut bacteria at doses considered safe, according to a study presented at the European Parliament on Wednesday (16 May).

Czech MPs to resume debate ahead of confidence vote on PM Babiš

Czech lawmakers resume debate today (16 January) ahead of a confidence vote on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's minority government that he is likely to lose with the billionaire businessman fighting allegations of EU subsidy fraud.

Who is behind the EPP’s latest attempt to tighten rules for NGOs?

On 14 September, MEPs voted against amendments to tighten controls on EU-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that act "against EU interests". A search for the proponents of these measures points to a pro-Israeli pressure group and a Glyphosate supporter.

Croatia’s central bank chief suspected of conflict of interest

A Croatian government watchdog is to assess if central bank governor Boris Vujčić allowed a conflict of interest by several times attending an economic conference sponsored by the owner of Croatia's biggest commercial bank.

The Brief: Could Madame Fillon be Monsieur Fillon’s Achilles heel?

“Is it possible to imagine General de Gaulle being put under investigation?” asked the French right-wing presidential candidate François Fillon a few months ago, ahead of his victory in the primary election of Les Republicains.

Transparency International looks into Slovak Presidency accounting

Following revelations by a whistleblower, Transparency International has uncovered tricks for funding projects without going through public procurement procedures. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.

Former Barroso Commissioners still enjoying big paydays

Former Commissioners are enjoying fat transitional allowances, even though they may already be working in the private sector or even if their time at the executive was only fleeting, according to German media. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Georgieva resigned from the Commission at very short notice

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker only learned that his deputy Kristalina Georgieva would take a job at the World Bank on the same day she resigned from the EU executive (28 October), a source close to Juncker told EURACTIV.com.

Barroso cleared of wrongdoing by EU ethics committee

Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso did not breach EU ethics rules but he may have been unwise to take a controversial top job at US investment bank Goldman Sachs after leaving office, an EU panel said today (31 October).

Navracsics voted against the Commission, but his EU commitment remains ‘unshaken’

The Commission told EURACTIV today (20 October) that Hungarian Commissioner Tibor Navracsics had clarified with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that his commitment to the EU remains “unshaken”, despite the fact that he voted against the Commission’s policies in the Hungarian referendum.

MEP calls for inquiry into Georgieva’s UN campaign expenses

EXCLUSIVE / MEP David Campbell Bannerman has asked for an inquiry into the travel expenses of Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva over the last two years, a period in which he is seeking clarification on her campaigning for the post of UN Secretary-General.

Commission ready to sanction Kroes after missing her confession

The European Commission said there was "scope" to slap sanctions on its former competition policy chief Neelie Kroes, embroiled in the Bahamas Leaks scandal, after taking five days to react to an e-mail where she confessed having transgressed the rules.

Former Commissioner Kroes named in new offshore leak

Former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, once Brussels' most feared corporate watchdog, failed to declare her directorship of an offshore firm, leaked files showed yesterday (21 September).

Croatia’s ruling party chief quits ahead of snap election

The head of Croatia's ruling conservative party, Tomislav Karamarko, resigned today (21 June) after his involvement in a conflict of interest affair triggered the government's fall.

New Croatian premier faces tough no-confidence motion

Croatia's conservative HDZ party, the biggest in the ruling centre-right coalition, said today (7 June) it would file a no-confidence motion against technocrat Prime Minister Tihomir Orešković.

Graft case shakes up Croatian government

Croatia's main opposition party, the Social Democrats, sought on Wednesday (18 May) a confidence vote against powerful Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Karamarko over an alleged conflict of interest, as a national watchdog opened a probe into the affair.

Romanian premier Ponta under investigation

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta was questioned Friday (5 June) by prosecutors at the National Anticorruption Directorate. They decided to place him under criminal investigation. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Juncker unaware of Ukrainian oligarch who copied his investment plan

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday (20 March) he was not aware that a Ukrainian oligarch close to Moscow had set up a strategic investment fund for the country, to which several European VIPs have loaned their names.

Bratušek faces Slovenian court for nominating herself a candidate for Commissioner

Slovenian police raided the home of ex-prime minister Alenka Bratušek yesterday (11 March) in search of evidence that she might have abused her position when her cabinet nominated her last year as a candidate for European commissioner.

Cañete’s hearing spells trouble for Juncker

The formation of a new European Union executive hit trouble yesterday, as the hearing of Spanish commissioner-designate for climate and energy Miguel Arias Cañete revealed mounting opposition among MEPs against his appointment in the Juncker commission. EURACTIV Spain contributed to this article.