The Government's program delivered today to the Assembly of the Republic proposes the extension of anti-corruption rules to political parties and the criminalization of illicit enrichment, announcing an “ambitious, rapid and ideally consensual agenda” to combat corruption.
The document, which describes corruption as “a serious problem that affects the quality of democracy, the efficiency of public management, the equity of the distribution of resources and the trust of citizens”, identifies prevention, repression and education as the three pillars of action in this area.
At a preventive level, the executive wants to extend anti-corruption rules to parties, “including in terms of risk prevention plans and codes of conduct” and the termination of functions of public leaders under a replacement regime for more than nine months, but also regulate the 'lobbying' – with the creation of a Transparency Register common to public entities and which is mandatory, publicly accessible and free.
Regarding the issues of conflicts of incompatibilities and impediments of holders of political positions and senior public positions, it is also planned to extend the “disgust period” for the exercise of functions in private entities related to the area of activity, the restriction of the accumulation of functions public and private that may generate conflicts of interest, and the “discipline of offers and hospitality”.
Preventive measures also include the reform of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism (MENAC), the Transparency Entity and the Accounts and Political Financing Entity, as well as the use of technology to reinforce transparency.
The Democratic Alliance (AD) Government's program was approved today, on the eve of two days of debate in parliament, on Thursday and Friday.
The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stated that the document is based on the AD's electoral program, but incorporates more than 60 measures that coincide with those of other parties.
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