According to a report released today by the Council of Europe’s Group of States Against Corruption (Greco), “Portugal has made progress in adopting measures to prevent corruption among senior executive positions in the central government and police forces, but more actions are needed.”
In an intermediate assessment of anti-corruption measures, Greco concluded that Portugal has partially implemented 18 out of the 28 recommendations previously made by the Council of Europe.
Greco highlighted the launch of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism and the Entity for Transparency, as well as the adoption of the Code of Conduct, “although much work remains to be done to consolidate all integrity norms and provide practical guidance.”
The specialized group from the Council of Europe considers that “authorities must take more determined steps to ensure integrity controls are effectively applied to all high-level executives,” something that is not currently happening.
Additional efforts are needed to make the process of accessing information more efficient, review the current procedure for public consultations on decrees-laws, and regulate lobbying while increasing its transparency, the document states.
“Neither the new National Anti-Corruption Strategy and its Action Plan for 2025-2028 nor a specific corruption risk prevention plan for executives have been adopted yet,” the report notes.
The group hopes that the authorities further clarify rules concerning gifts and ensure timely publication of information recorded in the central gift register given to officials.
The report argues that the disclosure of assets “should be extended to cabinet members and that all declarations of assets, interests, and liabilities of top executives should be made publicly accessible in practice.”
Greco is a body of the Council of Europe aimed at improving the capacity of its members to combat corruption, monitoring compliance with anti-corruption standards, and includes, in addition to member countries, Kazakhstan and the United States of America.
Regarding the PSP and GNR, the report highlights that both forces have “internal channels for reporting irregularities” but advocates the need to improve gender balance, create a confidential advisory mechanism and a regular verification system.
Other issues mentioned include “reviewing disciplinary regimes and procedures for appointing and promoting individuals to senior positions, implementing safeguards concerning conflicts of interest, and enhancing transparency of donations and sponsorships” within the PSP and GNR.
According to the authors of the document, the PSP and GNR “still need to develop specific anti-corruption strategies,” and the staff of the “General Inspectorate of Internal Affairs (IGAI)” needs to be strengthened.
Greco praised the adoption of the new PSP Code of Conduct and the ongoing work to finalize a similar document for the GNR, although it stresses that the two codes “still need to be complemented by practical guidance” for professionals.
