Günther Oettinger under fire over alleged ethics breach

The European Commissioner Günther Oettinger was hit by a wave of criticism in November 2016 over an alleged violation of ethics rules. Allegations in the media suggested that Mr Oettinger had taking a flight in a private jet belonging to German businessman Klaus Mangold, seen as a lobbyist close to Russian interests.

Mr Oettinger argued that he took the lift because he would otherwise have arrived late for a planned meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister.

This was the second wave of misconduct allegations in just over a month for the German commissioner.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 16.11.16: EU commissioner Oettinger under fire over private jet flight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38002207

EUObserver, 16.11.16: MEPs criticise Oettinger's 'judgement' https://euobserver.com/investigations/135928

Euronews, 16.11.16: EU's Oettinger under fire over lobbyist's private jet flight http://www.euronews.com/2016/11/16/eu-s-oettinger-under-fire-over-lobbyist-s-private-jet-flight

EUObserver, 16.11.16: German EU commissioner rejects wrongdoing https://euobserver.com/investigations/135921

EurActiv, 17.11.16: Oettinger in fresh row over Kremlin lobbyist’s jet http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/oettinger-in-new-row-over-kremlin-lobbyists-jet/

Politico, 15.11.16: Oettinger caught up in new allegations over ethics http://www.politico.eu/article/european-commissioner-for-digital-economy-gunther-oettinger-caught-up-in-new-allegations-over-ethics/

Politico, 15.11.16: Oettinger says new ethics allegations ‘unfounded’ http://www.politico.eu/article/oettinger-says-new-ethics-allegations-unfounded/

EUObserver, 15.11.16: German EU commissioner used Kremlin lobbyist's jet https://euobserver.com/institutional/135915

EurActiv, 18.11.16: Hungary asked Kremlin lobbyist to airlift Oettinger to Budapest http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/hungary-asked-kremlin-lobbyist-to-airlift-oettinger-to-budapest/

EUObserver, 17.11.16: Oettinger flight was not a meeting, commission says https://euobserver.com/political/135947

EUObserver, 28.11.16: MEP barred from questioning Oettinger on plane trip https://euobserver.com/political/136066

EurActiv, 02.12.16: Oettinger was ‘the wrong Commissioner in that private plane’, Vestager says http://www.euractiv.com/section/public-affairs/news/oettinger-was-the-wrong-commissioner-in-that-private-plane-vestager-says/

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