ABSTRACT

During the past fi fteen years, in the context of growing popular discontent and deteriorating legitimacy of the European Union, the European Commission has implemented substantial administrative reforms meant to improve its internal governance. Ensuring high standards of conduct for both Commissioners and staff members has been an important part of this effort. It came against accusations of blatant confl icts of interest and lobby capture, as well as juicy (and damaging) press scandals concerning the defrauding of the EU budget and offi cials treated to expensive gifts and free dinners in Brussels’ top restaurants.