Public Adoption: 29 October 2020 Publication: 15 December 2020 GrecoEval5Rep(2019)6 FIFTH EVALUATION ROUND Preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies EVALUATION REPORT GERMANY 7 Adopted by GRECO at its 86th Plenary Meeting (Strasbourg, 26-29 October 2020) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................. 4 II. INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 6 III. CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................................. 7 IV. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS (TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS).......................... 9 SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT AND TOP EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS.............................................................................................. 9 The President ................................................................................................................................................. 9 The government........................................................................................................................................... 11 Political appointees in executive functions .................................................................................................. 12 Remuneration of persons with top executive functions .............................................................................. 14 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .................................................. 15 Anti-corruption and integrity policy............................................................................................................. 15 Ethical principles and rules of conduct ........................................................................................................ 16 Institutional framework ............................................................................................................................... 18 Awareness ................................................................................................................................................... 18 TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF EXECUTIVE ACTIVITIES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ........................................................ 20 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 20 Transparency of the law-making process .................................................................................................... 23 Third parties and lobbyists........................................................................................................................... 24 Control mechanisms .................................................................................................................................... 25 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 27 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 29 Incompatibilities, outside activities and financial interests ......................................................................... 29 Contracts with state authorities .................................................................................................................. 30 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 30 Misuse of public resources ........................................................................................................................... 31 Misuse of confidential information ............................................................................................................. 31 Post-employment restrictions ...................................................................................................................... 32 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 34 Declaration requirements ............................................................................................................................ 34 ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS .................................................................................................... 35 Non-criminal accountability mechanisms .................................................................................................... 35 Criminal proceedings and immunities ......................................................................................................... 36 Statistics ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 V. CORRUPTION PREVENTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES .............................................................. 37 ORGANISATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT/POLICE AUTHORITIES........................................................... 37 Overview of various law enforcement authorities ....................................................................................... 37 Access to information .................................................................................................................................. 38 Public trust in law enforcement authorities ................................................................................................ 38 Trade unions and professional organisations .............................................................................................. 39 ANTICORRUPTION AND INTEGRITY POLICY ................................................................................................................... 39 Anti-corruption policy .................................................................................................................................. 39 Risk management measures for corruption prone areas ............................................................................ 39 Code of ethics .............................................................................................................................................. 40 Handling undercover operations and contacts with informants and witnesses .......................................... 41 Advice, training and awareness ................................................................................................................... 41 RECRUITMENT, CAREER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE ................................................................................................... 43 Recruitment requirements and appointment procedure ............................................................................. 43 Performance evaluation and promotion to a higher rank, transfers and termination of service ................ 47 Rotation ....................................................................................................................................................... 47 Salaries and benefits .................................................................................................................................... 48 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .......................................................................................................................................... 48 PROHIBITION OR RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................... 49 Incompatibilities, outside activities and post-employment restrictions ...................................................... 49 Gifts ............................................................................................................................................................. 50 2 Misuse of public resources ........................................................................................................................... 51 Misuse of confidential information ............................................................................................................. 51 DECLARATION OF ASSETS, INCOME, LIABILITIES AND INTERESTS ....................................................................................... 52 OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Internal oversight and control ..................................................................................................................... 52 External oversight ........................................................................................................................................ 53 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ........................................................................................ 54 Reporting obligations .................................................................................................................................. 54 Whistleblower protection ...........................................................................................................................