This report seeks to carry out a wholesale reform of the European Statistical System in order restore confidence in European and national statistics. Our main objectives have been adopted with an overwhelming majority. These include: prevention of political interference in national and EU statistics; introduction of a system of checks and balances for the national statistical institutes,, Eurostat and auditors at national and European level; the role of the director-general of Eurostat should also involve closer interaction with the European Parliament in order to increase the level of democratic scrutiny, accountability and independence.
The last few years have seen wholesale reforms of the EU's economic governance aimed at improving trust in the EU system. It is necessary to do the same for the European statistical system. We must increase the level of democratic scrutiny and accountability by ensuring a strong role for the European Parliament, including on the appointment of Eurostat’s director-general.