5.3 Anti-corruption
The authorities will implement the Strategic Plan against corruption in full and in line with its timeline. The authorities commit to implementing fully and timely the recommendations stemming out of their international commitments (e.g. GRECO).
As a prior action the authorities will adopt legislation modifying the framework for the declaration of assets, to provide for an enhanced system of declaration, in particular by improving the independence of the committee in charge of controlling the declaration of assets of politically exposed persons.
The authorities will ensure that the body(ies) in charge of controlling the declarations of assets is (are) operational by June 2016.
The authorities will amend and implement the legal framework for the financing of the political parties on key weaknesses such the anonymous donations, the limitation on seizures and transferability of public financing, the absence of definition of tax deductibility rates in the income tax code, the rules for timely submission and for publication of information, and the independence of the controlling committee common to the legislation on declaration of assets and financing of political parties (June 2016) (key deliverable){the change in political party finance legislation becomes a key deliverable};
The authorities will:
i. Adopt by June 2016 legislation insulating financial crime and corruption investigations from political intervention in individual cases in particular by amending the provisions of Article 12 of the Law 4320/2015. They will set up a system to ensure proper coordination, prioritization of investigations and sharing of information between investigation bodies through a Coordinating Body Chaired by Finance and Corruption Prosecutors.
ii. Following the assessment of the reduction of penalties for financial crimes provided by Law 4312/2014, amend this legislation (June 2016).
iii. Adopt a Code of Conduct for members of Parliament (June 2016).
The authorities will continue to pursue technical assistance with the European Commission SRSS in the fields of anti-corruption where it was already provided.
The authorities will as a prior action update and publish a revised Strategic Plan against corruption; and they will implement it according to its timeline.
The authorities will adopt by October 2015 legislation insulating financial crime and corruption investigations from political intervention in individual cases in particular by amending the provisions of article 12 of the law 4320/2015 and by setting up a system to ensure proper coordination, prioritization of investigations and sharing of information between investigation bodies through a Coordinating Body Chaired by Finance and Corruption Prosecutors.
The authorities will amend and implement the legal framework for the declaration of assets (October 2015) and the financing of the political parties on key weaknesses such as the composition of the committee common to both legislation, the anonymous donations, limitation on seizures and transferability of public financing and absence of definition of tax deductibility rates (November 2015); the authorities will conduct an assessment of the reduction of penalties for financial crimes provided by law 4312/2014, and amend it if needed (November 2015); they will adopt a draft code of conduct for members of Parliament (March 2016). The Government commits to implementing fully and timely the GRECO recommendations. The authorities will continue to pursue technical assistance with the European Commission SRSS in the fields of anti-corruption where it was already provided.