{"id":19583,"date":"2026-08-07T16:05:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T14:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daldewolf.com\/?p=19583"},"modified":"2026-08-07T16:22:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T14:22:45","slug":"the-officil-june-2026-issue-112","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daldewolf.com\/en\/the-officil-june-2026-issue-112\/","title":{"rendered":"THE OFFICI@L \u2013 June 2026 \u2013 Issue 112"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The OFFICI@L – Issue 112 – June 2026, our newsletter dedicated to European Union officials, has just been published. It is available in both French and English.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Editorial<\/h1>\n

Dear Reader,<\/em><\/p>\n

As we approach well-deserved holidays, and with our suitcases almost packed, we\u2019d like to focus on a timely topic: freedom of expression for officials and civil servants of the European Union<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

In case law, our attention was drawn to a ruling by the General Court of the European Union regarding the conditions for granting a relocation allowance and the rules for recovering overpayments<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally, our \u201cBelgian Law\u201d section will provide an update on the end of the RENOLUTION grants and the announced introduction of new financing mechanisms for renovating homes in the Brussels-Capital Region<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

You can help decide the topics for our upcoming issues! We look forward to receiving your suggestions at our email address: theofficial@daldewolf.com<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

In the meantime, we wish you wonderful vacation and hope you enjoy reading this issue.<\/em><\/p>\n

The DALDEWOLF team<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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DALDEWOLF<\/strong>
\n– European Union Law and Human Rights<\/strong><\/em>
\nTHIERRY BONTINCK – ANA\u00cfS GUILLERME – LUCIE MARCHAL – CELIA ANDR\u00c9 – PAULINE BAUDOUX – TELMA BONNENFANT – SABRINA NAPOLITANO – FEDERICO PATUELLI<\/p>\n

– Belgian Law<\/strong><\/em>
\nDOMINIQUE BOGAERT<\/p>\n

in partnership with PERSPECTIVES law firm<\/strong>:
\n– Family Law<\/strong><\/em>
\nCANDICE FASTREZ<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
<\/div>

Focus – Freedom of expression for agents and civil servants of the Union: a right, not immunity<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. \n

    Introduction<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As European citizens, agents and civil servants of the Union fully enjoy the right to expression. This right exercise also applies in the professional context, and not solely in the private sphere. However, this right is not absolute: it is balanced against the duties of loyalty, impartiality, discretion, and confidentiality that define the professional relationship. The real question, therefore, almost never is, \u201cCan I\u201d <\/em>but rather \u201cHow, where, and under what conditions?<\/em>\u201d This is where the crux of the matter lies, and it inherently calls for a case-by-case assessment.<\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      The Legal framework<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      The freedom of expression of public officials is grounded in several sources: Article 10 of the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights), Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and, with regard to permissible restrictions, Article 52 of the Charter, which requires an interpretation consistent with the ECHR. As for the Statute, the relevant provisions are Articles 11, 11(a)<\/em>, 12, 12(b)<\/em>, 17, and 17(a)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

      From this framework, three cumulative conditions emerge for a restriction to freedom of expression : (i) a legal basis (the Staff regulations); (ii) a legitimate interest, the integrity of the public service, public trust, and neutrality); and (iii) proportionality (the least intrusive measure, assessed on a case-by-case basis). None of these conditions is presumed; they must be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n

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      1. \n

        Publications and Public Statements: The Provisions of Article 17bis<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The principle is set forth in Article 17(a)<\/em> of the Staff regulations: an official has the right of expression, with due respect to the principles of loyalty and impartiality.<\/p>\n