Parliamentary question - E-006717/2017Parliamentary question
E-006717/2017

Criminal proceedings against the former head of ELSTAT

Question for written answer E-006717-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Thierry Cornillet (ALDE) , Ramon Tremosa i Balcells (ALDE) , Burkhard Balz (PPE) , Jean Arthuis (ALDE) , Lieve Wierinck (ALDE) , Petr Ježek (ALDE) , Jakob von Weizsäcker (S&D) , Enrique Calvet Chambon (ALDE) , Esther de Lange (PPE) , Nils Torvalds (ALDE) , Sven Giegold (Verts/ALE) , Ingeborg Gräßle (PPE)

Financial support is being provided to Greece, on condition that it implements sometimes tough reforms. Trust in Greece’s legal, judicial and economic framework is fundamental. The independence of the judicial system cannot be challenged, nor can the credibility of the statistics compiled, both of which are key elements of the recovery.

The former head of the Greek Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) has been subject to criminal proceedings before Greek courts for the past six years on the grounds that he inflated the 2009 Greek deficit figures (15.4% in 2009, as validated by Eurostat).

In August 2017, the Appeals Court convicted him of not obtaining prior approval for the release of the 2009 excessive deficit procedure (EDP) figures from the Board of ELSTAT. In addition, after his second acquittal by the Council of Appeals Court, the Supreme Court prosecutor revived the criminal charge against Mr Georgiou of falsifying the 2009 deficit figures.

Can the Commission evaluate the impact of this judicial decision, as well as the reopening of the case, on the financial assistance programme, Greece’s fragile recovery and the independence of justice and statistics?

Does the Commission consider that such case goes against the spirit of the Treaties and of the Euro area’s governance rules?