The Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has decided to close its 5th round compliance procedure in respect of Finland, recognizing the progress made in implementing anti-corruption reforms concerning top executive functions in central government and law enforcement agencies.
In a report published today, GRECO concludes that Finland has satisfactorily implemented or dealt with in a satisfactory manner eleven of the fourteen recommendations contained in the Fifth Evaluation Round report. The remaining three recommendations have been partly implemented.
Visible progress has been achieved with regard to persons entrusted with top executive functions notably across several key areas. A system of confidential counselling for civil servants and persons entrusted with top executive functions appears to be in place. Enforcement and sanction mechanisms are set out in various laws, and integrity training has been provided, with additional training sessions planned for 2026.
GRECO also welcomes the preventive measures introduced to review and manage the disclosure of pre-employment and post-employment conflicts of interest of persons entrusted with top executive functions, by standardizing the content of declaration of assets and interests.
Furthermore, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-2027 is expected to address the outstanding recommendations on consolidation of integrity rules for ministers.
With respect to law enforcement agencies, GRECO concludes that all recommendations have been fully implemented.
An action plan has been adopted to complement the implementation of the Police’s anti-corruption policy, and the Border Guard is updating its existing anti-corruption program.
Ethical leadership training has been provided to senior police management, and several confidential counselling channels are now available to police staff. In addition, whistleblower protection has been strengthened in law, accompanied by training delivered across all levels of command.
