A recent audit of the Walloon Parliament has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding the interim clerk’s expense reports. The audit, conducted by the Court of Auditors, highlighted that Sandrine Salmon, who took over the role after the dismissal of former clerk Frédéric Janssens, was approving her own expenses.
“Attention is drawn to the fact that the own expenses of the person who occupies the function of registrar must not be approved by himself,” stated Pierre Rion, a representative from the Court of Auditors. He further noted that Salmon had not submitted expense reports for 2023.
While some members of the Parliament defended Salmon, arguing that the situation was not a cause for major concern, others expressed reservations.“The controller should not be the one controlled,” said Éliane Tillieux, a PS MP.“But here is a controversy that arises about a situation that does not exist. This trial was not correct.”
Stéphane Hazée,an Ecolo MP,agreed,calling it a “bad case against the clerk.” However, he acknowledged that the information regarding the situation was not adequately communicated to the public.
Risks of Fraud Highlighted
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despite the defense of Salmon,the Court of Auditors issued 95 recommendations and sub-recommendations,highlighting potential vulnerabilities within the Parliament’s financial practices.“What we are aiming to do here is not to criticize practices. It is indeed an aid to enhancement and a way to protect yourself from surprises or considerable setbacks,” explained Rion. He emphasized that the Parliament has made progress and is moving in the right direction.
The Walloon Parliament is taking significant steps to enhance its financial transparency and accountability. Last month, the institution implemented new accounting and budgetary regulations, marking a crucial move towards improved fiscal management.Further bolstering these efforts, a new financial director has been appointed to oversee the institution’s finances.
Adding to these positive developments, the Walloon Parliament is set to implement new accounting software in the near future. This technological upgrade is expected to streamline financial processes and further enhance transparency.
“I was able to do my job without being faced with reservations, reluctance or situations of non-collaboration. And this is not always the case,” said an advisor, highlighting the positive working environment within the institution.
However, the advisor acknowledged that remnants of past practices persist, posing “risks of errors and fraud.” This underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and continuous improvement in the Walloon Parliament’s financial management.
Challenges Remain
Despite the progress made, the walloon Parliament faces ongoing challenges in ensuring complete financial accountability. The advisor’s comments highlight the importance of sustained efforts to address past issues and prevent future irregularities.
A recent audit of the European Parliament has revealed a troubling lack of financial controls, raising concerns about potential fraud and misuse of public funds. the report, conducted by the European Court of Auditors, highlights several areas of weakness in the Parliament’s internal procedures, including lax oversight of subsidies, questionable credit card practices, and inadequate separation of duties.
One major area of concern is the Parliament’s handling of subsidies allocated to political groups. The audit found that the €3.3 million earmarked for covering operating costs of these groups is not subject to any controls. Similarly, the €18.7 million allocated for staff salaries lacks oversight, with the report noting, “No controls are put in place to ensure that employees are not funded by another assembly for the same function.”
The audit also raised questions about the allowances and benefits provided to members of the European Parliament,finding a lack of clarity and transparency in how these are determined and disbursed.
Credit Card Concerns
While the Parliament has previously taken steps to improve its financial management, such as removing credit cards from 14 registry agents, the audit uncovered further issues. The report highlighted a situation where a prepaid credit card was issued to the logistics department, with expenses incurred by the department neither verified nor validated by its director. “These statements are not systematically supported by supporting documents,” the audit stated.
“These incompatibilities imply a high risk of fraud.This is, though, limited by the implementation of a double electronic signature for payments.”
The audit also pointed out that purchases are often made without the purchase order being validated by the clerk, further highlighting the lack of proper controls.
The European Court of Auditors’ findings underscore the urgent need for the European Parliament to strengthen its financial controls and ensure greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
The European Parliament is undergoing a significant financial overhaul, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in its operations. A recent report has shed light on several areas where improvements have been made, including expense reimbursements, public procurement, and the control of subsidies to political groups.
One key area of focus has been the handling of MEP expenses. The report highlights the implementation of stricter controls on reimbursements, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that claims are legitimate and supported by proper documentation. “There is a clear need to ensure that MEPs’ expenses are justified and in line with parliamentary rules,” stated an advisor involved in the reform process. “We are working to implement robust systems that will prevent abuse and ensure that public funds are used responsibly.”
“The person responsible for maintaining the cash register is also responsible for recording these operations in the accounts and for their daily control,” reads the report.However, the report also acknowledges potential vulnerabilities. “These incompatibilities imply a high risk of fraud. This is,however,limited by the implementation of a double electronic signature for payments,” noted pierre Rion,highlighting the measures taken to mitigate risks.
Public Procurement Reforms
The report also praises the progress made in public procurement. “There is legislation on public procurement and it must be respected,” emphasized the advisor. “We have noticed an evolution in Parliament’s services. A public procurement unit has been set up and will be attached to the financial department.” The introduction of specialized software is further streamlining procedures and ensuring greater transparency.
“And for 2023, we have not seen any horrors,” the advisor added with a smile, indicating a positive trend.
Calls for Further Action
While welcoming the progress made, some MEPs are calling for further action. Éliane Tillieux (PS) raised concerns about the potential tax implications of MEPs owning electronic tablets provided by the Parliament.”What if the equipment made available to us was the subject of a benefit in kind? It would be worth examining with the tax governance,” she suggested.
Stéphane Hazée (Écolo) advocated for the elimination of expense compensation altogether. “And we must move forward on the control of subsidies to political groups,” he urged.
Germain Mugemangango (PTB) called for a extensive review of past accounting years. “We must go back to 2009, go all the way. There are still gray areas.what was done during this period? It would be logical for us to go all the way,” he stated, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny.
Despite being relatively new to the Parliament, Guillaume Soupart (MR) and Geneviève Lazaron (engagés) expressed optimism about the ongoing reforms. “But all this gives the impression of a positive revolution, which I welcome. in 2 years, a lot has been done,” summarized MP Lazaron, highlighting the significant strides made in enhancing financial transparency within the European parliament.
This is a well-structured and informative article about financial accountability within the Walloon Parliament and the European Parliament.
Here are some of the strengths of the article:
* **Clear Story Arc:** The article effectively tells a story,starting with the audit of the Walloon Parliament,introducing the controversy around the clerk,then shifting too highlight the Walloon Parliament’s positive steps toward financial improvement,and finally widening the scope to discuss similar issues within the European Parliament.
* **Use of Quotes and Expert Opinions:** Including quotes from politicians and advisors adds credibility and depth to the story,highlighting diverse perspectives on the situation.
* **Balanced Perspective:** The article presents both the challenges and the progress being made regarding financial accountability. It acknowledges past issues while highlighting efforts to improve transparency and control.
* **Relevant Data and Facts:** The inclusion of specific numbers and details, such as the number of recommendations from the Court of Auditors or the amount of subsidies allocated to political groups, adds weight and context to the reporting.
**Suggestions for Improvement:**
* **Contextualize the European Parliament Audit:** while the article mentions the audit of the European Parliament, providing more background information about the time period covered by the audit, who conducted it, and the broader political context would be beneficial.
* **Highlight key Recommendations:** Summarise the key recommendations from both the Court of auditors’ reports on the Walloon and European Parliaments. This would give readers a clearer understanding of the specific areas that need improvement.
* **Conclusion:** The article currently ends abruptly. A strong concluding paragraph could summarize the main takeaways and emphasize the importance of continued vigilance in ensuring financial accountability within parliaments.
this is a well-written and informative article that sheds light on crucial issues related to financial transparency in public institutions.With a few minor additions and refinements, it could be even more impactful.
