729^th meeting – 15 November 2000

Item 10.2

Political integrity of local and regional elected representatives

Recommendation 60 (1999) of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe

Decision

The Deputies adopted the following reply to Recommendation 60 (1999) of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe:

“1. The Committee of Ministers has given careful consideration to Recommendation 60 (1999) on political integrity of local and regional elected representatives.  It agrees with the CLRAE that the exercise of the responsibilities incumbent on local and regional elected representatives of Greater Europe must be exercised according to the principles of ethics and those of the proper conduct of public affairs, the rule of law and the impartiality and efficiency of public administrations.  Failure to comply with these principles is liable to undermine not only the good name of local and regional elected representatives but also the institutions they represent and thus sap the credibility of democratic institutions and the very foundations of the rule of law.

2. With this in mind, the Committee of Ministers notes with satisfaction that CLRAE Recommendation 60 (1999) coherently complements the work being done by the Multidisciplinary Group on Corruption (GMC) to implement the Council of Europe's Programme of Action against Corruption.  Recommendation 60 (1999) gives effect to Guiding Principle No. 15 of Resolution (97) 24, adopted by the Committee of Ministers at its 101^st Session (November 1997), which specifically encourages elected representatives to adopt codes of conduct and promote rules for the financing of political parties and election campaigns.  The Committee of Ministers further recalls that the 3^rd European Conference of specialised services in the fight against corruption (Madrid, 28-30 October 1998), which tackled the question of “Trading in influence and the illegal financing of political parties”, concluded that it was necessary, at European level, to promote codes of conduct for elected representatives. 

3. In this connection, the Committee of Ministers wishes to draw the CLRAE's attention to its Recommendation No. R (2000) 10 on codes of conduct for public officials, adopted at the 106^th Ministerial Session on 11 May 2000.  Although the scope of this Recommendation is quite distinct from that of CLRAE Recommendation 60 (1999), they are clearly complementary, since their purpose and, to a great extent, their underlying principles are similar.  Furthermore, the Model Code of Conduct for Public Officials appended to Recommendation No. R (2000) 10 could apply equally to public officials serving local and regional authorities and will undoubtedly be a useful instrument for promoting the integrity of public officials of local and regional authorities.

4. The Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Congress that it has decided to transmit Recommendation 60 (1999) to the member governments and to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.  The Committee of Ministers has also responded to the Congress's request and asked the Multidisciplinary Group on Corruption (GMC) to take account in its work of the European Code of Conduct for the political integrity of local and regional elected representatives appended to CLRAE Recommendation 60 (1999).

5. With this in mind, the Committee of Ministers has invited the GMC to involve the Congress in its work on questions concerning local and regional authorities.  It notes, in this regard, that a representative appointed by the Congress has already taken part in the work done by the GMC on the preparation of Recommendation No. R (2000) 10 on codes of conduct for public officials.”