In the report of the 5th assessment round, released today, GRECO recognises that Portugal has developed an extensive legal and institutional anti-corruption framework, but the effectiveness of this framework strongly depends on the full operation of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism and the Entity for Transparency, which hasn't happened yet.

GREGO emphasises that all people with top executive roles must be subject to effective integrity checks before joining the Government, as well as post-employment restrictions, and must be required to submit declarations of assets and interests.

In a statement, GRECO also calls for improvements in public consultation processes and people's access to public information.

Another issue that concerns the Group of States Against Corruption is the transparency of contacts between senior executive officials, lobbyists and third parties, which the Council of Europe body considers deserves further progress.

With regard to the Public Security Police and the National Guard of the Republic, the document argues that authorities need to take measures to achieve transparent and objective recruitment procedures at management level, to increase the representation of women at all levels in these services and to establish internal mechanisms for reporting irregularities.

Verification of the integrity of law enforcement officials must be reinforced and applied at regular intervals, he also considers.

GRECO further argues that integrity standards, especially with regard to external activities, as well as supervisory regimes, need strengthening.

Access to public information also needs to be improved in these law enforcement authorities, he adds.

It also advocates an improvement in the regulation of donations and sponsorships, to “increase transparency and address the risks of conflicts of interest”.

Compliance with the 28 recommendations made by Portugal will be monitored by GRECO in 2025.