Brussels, 14/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 9 May, several European NGOs launched an online campaign against corruption in Europe and a petition that has already gathered 100,000 signatures, the campaign organisers state in a press release. The campaign - which is supported in particular by Socialist Martin Schulz, Greek Syriza party leader Alexis Tsipras and the European Greens' candidate for Commission president, José Bové - has also gathered 100 eurocandidates from 24 member states.
The campaign was launched by the Italian associations Libera and Gruppo Abele - with Avviso Pubblico, Mafia Nein Danke, Libera France, Anticor and Coordination Eau Île-de-France. According to European Commission data, corruption reportedly leads to a loss of €120 billion per year in the EU. (SP)