WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3800/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Candidacy of the President of the Court of Auditors for election as a Member of the European Parliament
C 142/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 5. 1999 Joint answer to Written Questions P-3727/98 and P-3728/98 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-1128/98 by Mr Sjöstedt during question time at Parliament’s December 1998 part-session (1). (1) Debates of the Parliament (December 1998). (1999/C 142/199) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3790/98 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (4 December 1998) Subject: Programmes and projects aimed at SMEs and the tourist sector in Catalonia In view of the Commission’s policy of openness about its own expenditure, can it indicate which of the projects carried out in Catalonia during the period 1994-1999 received all of the different types of aid available for SMEs and the tourist sector? Furthermore, can it state exactly how much money was finally allocated to each of those projects? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (18 January 1999) The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible. (1999/C 142/200) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3800/98 by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission (22 December 1998) Subject: Candidacy of the President of the Court of Auditors for election as a Member of the European Parliament In view of the fact that within the European Parliament it is increasingly rumoured that Bernhard Friedmann, the President of the Court of Auditors, intends to stand for election as a German MEP representing the CSU; according to the same rumour, his intention emerged in particular during meetings held over the last few weeks; although it is specifically stated in the Treaties that the office of MEP and that of President or judge at the Court of Auditors are incompatible, nothing is said regarding the possibility of a President-in-Office standing for election, 1. Does the Commission not think that, if this rumour were to be confirmed, it would undermine the independence and the impartiality of the Court as enshrined in Article 118b of the Treaty? 2. Does the Commission, as guardian of the Treaties, not consider that, in view of the text of the Treaty and, in particular, Article 188b(5) thereof, and also the particular and sensitive tasks performed by the Court of Auditors, it should be impossible for members of that Court (especially the President himself) to stand for election to the European Parliament? 3. What interpretation of the letter and the spirit of the Treaties would the Commission make if the above rumour were to be officially confirmed?