Dear Readers, Corruption is extremely flexible and easily adaptable to new scenarios, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It is generally a major impediment to prosperity and security because it hinders sustainable economic growth, distorts market competition, undermines the rule of law, and erodes trust between citizens and governments. In times of emergency and crisis, however, the risk increases that corruption can exacerbate these negative effects, thwarting efforts geared towards a sustainable and resilient recovery. Corruption therefore has an even more debilitating effect during a global pandemic, which enormously challenges societies and economies ‒ it becomes a “thief of the future.”… Read more

Dear Readers, I have been a prosecutor for half of my life. I have combatted high-level corruption for many years and possess firsthand experience in the vital importance of fairness, the willingness to comply with commonly agreed rules, the ability to administer justice − in other words, the rule of law. This is the core strength of the European Union for me and, I am sure, for millions of European citizens who grew up under dictatorial regimes in a divided Europe: our only effective way to ensure the rule of law is true democracy in a globalised world. One of… Read more

Dear Readers, The development of European law shows a constant proliferation of legal sources and a rising phenomenon of reciprocal assimilation between sets of norms of various origins (Union law and law from conventional sources, e.g. the Council of Europe) − especially in recent years. Their mutual “interference” and interdependence have contributed to the extension of the catalogue of fundamental rights and their protection requirements. This implies for the judge to apply national law not only in compliance with European Union legislation but also in the light of the case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the… Read more

Dear Readers, As we approach the end of 2020, we cannot but acknowledge the importance of dialogue with experts. In the field of EU criminal justice, the Commission has always relied strongly on exchanges with experts. The prominent Corpus Juris project of just such a group of experts led by Prof. Delmas-Marty at the end of the 1990s was devoted to the protection of the financial interests of the European Community and included a proposal for a European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). This groundwork bore fruit. – A true European Prosecution Office, which should soon start its activities in Luxembourg,… Read more

The special coronavirus recovery fund of the EU is to provide €750 billion for the years 2021 – 2023. In addition, the new EU multi-annual financial framework will amount to €1074 billion, including significant amounts earmarked for corona aid and other subsidies. Considering additionally that national and regional budgets also provide for similar aid, there will ultimately be an unprecedented increase in subsidies and thus a huge potential booty for criminals. A considerable number of corona subsidy fraud cases have already shown up in the Member States, including fake websites and phishing mails seeking to redirect corona aid to criminals’… Read more

Dear Readers, Several anniversaries were recently celebrated in relation to the EU, in general, and to the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (ASFJ), in particular: 60 years since the signature of the Treaty of Rome, 20 years since the enactment of the principle of mutual recognition, 10 years since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. The dynamic European landscape is giving rise to an increasing number of actors and instruments in judicial cooperation in criminal matters, with undeniable repercussions for the Member States. This can be seen not only from a legal/judicial perspective but also from… Read more