How often do Commission directors-general assess their own conflicts of interest?

7.3.2023

Question for written answer  E-000769/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Nikolaj Villumsen (The Left)

During the press briefing on Monday 6 March 2023, it was made clear that it is standard practice at the Commission for directors-general to do their own assessments of whether there are conflicts of interest in matters in which they themselves are involved[1]. This naturally raises questions about the independence of such assessments and the integrity of the system. It is also unclear how often such assessments are carried out and what the outcome is.

In the light of this:

• 1.How many times since the start of this Commission’s term of office have Commission directors-general assessed potential conflicts of interest involving themselves?
• 2.In how many instances, since the start of this Commission’s term of office, have Commission directors-general decided that there was a potential conflict of interest involving themselves?
• 3.How many times, since the start of this Commission’s term of office, have directors-general consulted their political authorities as to whether a particular matter might constitute a conflict of interest?

Submitted: 7.3.2023

• [1] https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-238329