Liberals played a part in convincing 581 colleagues in the European Parliament to support the anti-corruption law.
Renew Europe welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption of a new anti-corruption law, marking the successful conclusion of interinstitutional negotiations.
Corruption costs Europe billions every year. It distorts fair competition, weakens public services, erodes trust in governments and undermines democracy itself. With this vote, Europe sends a clear message: there will be no safe havens for corruption.
The law delivers on tougher sanctions, stronger prevention of corruption and greater protection for citizens and journalists across Europe. Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle MEP (D66, NL), who led negotiations, commented on the details:
“This law is about a Europe where journalists can work without fear, and where public systems serve citizens, not insiders. This directive brings us closer to a Europe where corruption cannot decide who gets a job, a permit, or justice. A Europe where citizens can trust their institutions again. That is the Europe we want to build.”
“This law is historic. Corruption has caused journalists to be silenced, citizens to be killed, lives cut short. Behind every statistic is a name, a story, and a future denied. Corruption also drains billions from our economies, erodes trust in government, and undermines democracy itself. Left unchecked, it threatens the very foundation of our Union. This law is about defending Europe at its core and delivering for our citizens.”
The new law sets common minimum standards across the EU on corruption offences and penalties. This includes bribery, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice and illicit enrichment.
It also strengthens enforcement by ensuring authorities can investigate complex cases fully. Authorities across the EU will now have clearer legal definitions, more time to build cases and stronger penalties to ensure corruption does not go unpunished.
Member States will also be required to reassess their anti-corruption systems, reinforce them where they fall short and develop comprehensive national strategies to prevent corruption at its roots.
By aligning sanctions across the Union, the new framework prevents a race to the bottom while enabling judges to impose stronger, genuinely dissuasive penalties. By setting higher common standards, the law contributes to a safer Europe for everyone.