Practical arrangements for the participation of Commissioners in European and national elections

The European Commission has issued, based on guidelines adopted in 2019, a reinforced guidance on ethical standards for Members of the Commission who take part in electoral campaigns for the European Parliament. In addition, dedicated guidelines have also been developed regarding participation in election campaigns at Member State level.

Both guidelines build on opinions of the Commission’s Independent Ethical Committee and will ensure the coherent application of the Code of Conduct for Members of the European Commission.

Strengthened rules

Since 2018, Members of the Commission are allowed to participate in European election campaigns without taking unpaid leave. The guidelines build on the experience gained during the European elections in 2019, when this new approach applied for the first time, and on experience with the participation of Members of the Commission in national electoral campaigns in the previous years. Most notably, they guarantee a clear separation between Commission tasks and campaigns activities.

According to the reinforced rules for European elections, Members of the Commission:

• Shall refrain from a campaign activity before the President / College has been informed about their intention to participate in the campaign.
• Must ensure their availability for the continued performance of their duties, such as attendance of the plenary sessions or Committee meetings of the European Parliament, College meetings and meetings of the Council formations.
• Are obliged to create a separate social media account for the campaign and for any statement or intervention on behalf of a party or a candidate.
• May not use Commission’s human and material resources for any activities linked to the campaign (notably for drafting speeches or documents, organise travel etc.).
• Must ensure a clear separation between travel arrangements linked to their Commission duties and those related to their campaigns.

Furthermore, today’s guidance stipulates that all financial or material support for the campaign and its participants must be directed to the party or the campaign organisation itself and strictly separated from a Member’s own financial interests.

Finally, if ever a situation were to arise during the campaign which might reasonably be perceived as a conflict of interest in the meaning of the Code of Conduct, the procedure for conflicts of interests set out in the Code must be followed.

When it comes to elections at the level of Member States, the Code of Conduct provides that, if Commissioners intend to stand for election or otherwise play an active role in the election campaign, they must  – unlike in the European elections – withdraw from the work of the Commission for the entire period of active implication and at least for the duration of the campaign. The guidelines for electoral campaigns at Member State level also make a clear distinction between active and non-active participation.

Background

In line with the Framework Agreement on the relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission and the entry into force of the latest Code of Conduct in 2018, Commissioners could participate in electoral campaigns in elections to the European Parliament without having to temporarily withdraw from their duties in the Commission. In doing so, they also have to ensure the respect of the principles of independence, integrity and discretion provided by Article 245 of the Treaty.

By developing specific guidelines for Commissioners for participation in national election campaigns, the Commission also delivers on its previous commitment acknowledged by the European Ombudsman.

More information: European Commission