Council of Europe's GRECO Releases Mixed Assessment of Belgium's Anti-Corruption Efforts

GRECO Assesses Belgium's Anti-Corruption Progress

The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) released two new assessments on January 6, 2026, detailing Belgium's efforts to prevent corruption and promote integrity across various sectors. These evaluations scrutinize the country's adherence to anti-corruption recommendations concerning members of parliament (MPs), judges, prosecutors, central government, and law enforcement agencies.

Findings on MPs, Judges, and Prosecutors

The first assessment, which concludes GRECO's evaluation of measures taken since August 2014, focused on MPs, judges, and prosecutors. Out of 15 recommendations, Belgium has satisfactorily implemented eight, with the remaining seven still partly implemented.

• Parliamentarians: GRECO noted that while measures such as integrity training and discussions on rules regarding gifts and lobbyists have been introduced, overall progress remains limited. The group expressed regret that the main issues identified in its 2014 evaluation report largely persist.
• Judges and Prosecutors: In contrast, significant improvements were observed in this area. GRECO welcomed advancements in ethics, recruitment, training, and the disciplinary framework for judges and prosecutors. Only one recommendation, pertaining to arrangements for assigning cases between judges, remains partly implemented.

Central Government and Law Enforcement Agencies

The second assessment reviewed Belgium's progress against 22 recommendations issued in January 2020, targeting corruption prevention in central government and law enforcement agencies. This report concluded that only eight of these recommendations have been implemented.

• Central Government: Progress among individuals holding top executive functions in central government was deemed minimal. Many recommendations have yet to be implemented, with others still in preliminary consultation stages or merely declarations of intent. A notable concern was the lack of a comprehensive integrity policy or ethical framework for ministers and their private office staff.
• Law Enforcement: A more positive trend was identified within the federal police, where increased stability at senior management levels and improved regulation of outside activities were noted. However, GRECO highlighted that certain recommendations, including those concerning the effectiveness of internal control and declarations of assets and interests, still require attention. The federal police also faces challenges due to a lack of resources, impacting anti-corruption services.

Conclusion and Future Steps

Overall, GRECO concluded that Belgium is not sufficiently complying with its recommendations, particularly concerning central government and law enforcement agencies, and that substantial efforts are still needed to combat corruption effectively. Belgium has been requested to provide a further report on the implementation of its outstanding recommendations by November 30, 2026.