The question of incompatibility regarding the ‘development mentors’ appointed by the Hungarian government

8.5.2008

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2855/08
by Antonio De Blasio (PPE‑DE)
to the Commission

At the instigation of the Hungarian Socialist Party Group, which is currently the sole governing party, the Minister for National Development and Economy has appointed 30 members of the governing party of the Hungarian Parliament as ‘development mentors’ for major EU priority projects. The leader of the governing Socialist Party is at the same time the country’s Prime Minister. In this way, political actors have obtained rights of influence over the decision-making processes governing the use of EU funds. I would like to ask the Commission the following in connection with the Hungarian government’s decision:

Is the Commission aware that the minister in question has appointed members of parliament to the decision-making forum for the use of EU funds and to positions in the Executive? Does it consider this method of interweaving the executive and legislative arms, which is susceptible to corruption, to be acceptable?

Does the Commission know of the existence of similar ‘development mentor’ positions in any other Member States, and if so, does it consider the presence of political interests in the distribution of EU funds in such a direct way to be acceptable?

OJ C 40, 18/02/2009