Danish MEP Stine Bosse resigns from DNB amid conflict of interest concerns

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEP Stine Bosse resigned from DNB’s board due to conflict of interest concerns, prioritizing loyalty to Danish voters. Her decision followed pressure and media scrutiny. Transparency International praised the move.

A Danish liberal MEP Stine Bosse has left the board of a bank following potential conflicts of interest risks, in a story first disclosed by EUobserver Stine Bosse of Renew Europe revealed that she was stepping down as a settled board member of the Norwegian financial services firm, DNB. “It must not be possible to question my loyalty to the Danish voters who voted for me. Therefore, I have informed DNB that I want to resign from DNB’s board today,” she stated.

What Prompted the Conflict of Interest Concerns?

The DNB is a registered lobbyist in the EU’s joint-transparency register, vending with issues from the banking industry to climate action and the environment. The resignation was authorised by DNB, which stated her departure from the board comes “with immediate effect.”

How Did Media Scrutiny Influence Bosse’s Decision?

Bosse last year was spent €64,000 for the role, according to her declaration of private interests.

Her post had also initially said that she couldn’t step down until April next year “because that’s when they will elect a new member”. But strain has since mounted with similar articles emerging in the Danish media.

When pressed on the grounds to now step down, following the revelations, she spoke to 

Danish television TV 2 that “question marks have been presented, and this has caused me to reassess.”

Her office had initially expressed there was no issue because she doesn’t sit on the European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs (ECON) that haggles with financial matters relevant to DNB. Bosse is also on the European Parliament‘s environment committee and vice-chair of the subcommittee on public health, where DNB also has direct interests.

What Are Transparency International’s Views on the Resignation?

The Brussels office of Transparency International states MEPs should not be entangled in any side activities with organisations aiming to influence EU policymaking. “Ms Bosse made the right choice by resigning from the board, but she should not have been left to come to this decision herself,” stated Transparency International’s Shari Hinds, in an email.

Hinds stated regulating potential conflicts of interest cannot be left to an MEP’s discretion. “The European Parliament should be showing its integrity and banning these types of side activities. In the lack of effective parliamentary reforms, we hope other MEPs will proactively follow her example,” she said.