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The Council of Europe published two reports on corruption in Greece, making 27 recommendations the implementation of which will be revised in 2012. The “Evaluation Report on Greece for Transparency and Funding of Political Parties” emphasizes that  “greater transparency”, “simplifying the particular complex legal framework”, “repealing the time limits for cancellation of the right to exercise criminal liability against former and present politicians” are necessary.  

Greek criminal law is so complex that it is ineffective and can not be applied, although it took account of all offences, says the text for “incrimination of corruption”.

Among the 27 recommendations of GRECO are the following:

- Repeal the presence of a term after which government members and former members of governments can not be held criminally liable.

- Abolish the possibility of delaying or interrupting an investigation for “political activity” and “irregularities which could harm the international relations of the country.”

- Change the law which requires citizens of foreign countries to travel to Greece to exercise their right to vote, because certain parties hand out free tickets, which can influence the decision of the voter.

- One of the proposed measures is to revise the formula for “practical repent”, which allows favourable attitude to those who return the product of bribery.

- It is required Greece to abolish the anonymous coupons for certain donations. Donations exceeding the sum of € 600 should be made only by bank transfer and the notification of funding should be within the specified terms.  

For “transparency in the funding of political parties” GRECO acknowledges that Greece has a good enough legislation, but noted the need for greater transparency and more accurate accounts of receipts and expenditures of political parties and financial activities during election campaigns. The proposal is to be strengthened the independence of commissions reporting violations during the elections.  

GRECO criticized the system for control of political parties calling it “vague and inefficient”and noted that it is the most likely reason for the suspicious attitude of the Greeks to the system of political funding in the country. It is required Greece to start imposing penalties when politicians and government officials are influenced through bribery, including intangible benefits that politicians may derive.
 
The report is the result of “the third round evaluation” and is made by GRECO (Groupe d'Etats contre la Corruption-Group of States against Corruption), which is a special authority at the Council of Europe that monitors the improvement of the Member States relating to corruption issues. The next report of the GRECO will be drawn up in 2012 to assess whether the recommendations were taken into account by the state.