The government also submitted the second package of amendments to the law related to the conditionality procedure
Following the negotiations with the European Commission and the first package of legislative amendments related to the conditionality procedure submitted on Monday, the government also submitted the second package of legislative amendments to the Parliament on Friday.
The package of laws submitted by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, presented by Justice Minister Judit Varga, can be read on the parliament's website and deals with the control of the use of European Union budget resources and the amendment of certain related laws.
The purpose of amending the Act on the Control of the Use of European Union Budget Resources is to establish the Integrity Authority and the Anti-Corruption Working Group in order to reach an agreement with the European Commission.
According to the rationale, the authority will operate as an autonomous state administration body independent of the government and other bodies, the proposal will set out its tasks and the general rules of its procedure.
The authority is led by the president, in cooperation with the two vice-presidents in the board, which annually reports on its activities to the Parliament and also sends the report to the European Commission. The President and his deputies are appointed by the President of the Republic on the recommendation of the President of the State Audit Office for a period of six years, they cannot hold their position again.
The information states that the authority is obliged to notify other authorities with tasks and powers, including the European Anti-Fraud Office, and - by simultaneously sending the notification to the prosecutor's office - the European Public Prosecutor's Office, if fraud, conflict of interest, corruption or any other violation of law or detects suspected irregularities.
The Anti-Corruption Working Group will be a corporate body working alongside the authority, performing analytical, proposing, opinion-making and decision-preparing tasks, which will operate for an indefinite period of time.
It is headed by the president of the authority, non-governmental actors active in the fight against corruption are included in the working group, and members represent state bodies, but permanent and occasional invitees can also participate. The vice-chairman of the working group is elected by majority decision-making among the members representing non-governmental actors.
In connection with the operation of the authority and the working group, a three-member suitability committee will be established as a support body for the independent making of personnel decisions according to objective criteria, the proposal states.
The proposal on the amendment of certain laws related to the control of the use of European Union budget resources amends the law on informational self-determination and freedom of information according to its rationale.
It introduces the possibility of determining compensation for the disproportionate use of labor resources, and accordingly modifies the related provisions.
It authorizes the government to determine in a decree the minimum amount above which reimbursement can be established, as well as the maximum reimbursement for the remaining cost elements (copying and delivery costs).
The proposal also institutionalizes the Internal Audit and Integrity Directorate - which will operate in the work organization of the minister responsible for the use of European Union funds - and lays down its operational rules.
Its director is appointed by the prime minister for four years on the recommendation of the minister responsible for the use of European Union funds, and he informs the Integrity Authority about the organization's activities annually.
The proposal also includes provisions aimed at abolishing the special rules governing data requests in the public interest and applicable in emergency situations.
Territorial Development Minister Tibor Navracsics announced on Sunday that the government will submit the legislative amendment proposals containing the Hungarian government's commitments to the Parliament on Monday and Friday.
The first package of amendments to the law submitted on Monday is related to the cooperation of the financial watchdog with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and amends the legislation on public interest trust foundations performing a public task.
Source: Magyar Hírlap
Featured image: Magyar Nemzet/Árpád Kurucz
