A month after the start of the resounding alleged corruption scandal, the European Parliament, its president in mind, insisted on Monday on its desire to clean up its practices, in an attempt to restore its image as quickly as possible.
“ We will take steps to strengthen the fight against corruption and the means to combat foreign interference “, promised Roberta Metsola, in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, at the opening of the first plenary session of the year.
Shaken as she is just celebrating her first anniversary as President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola underlined that “ the events of the past month have demonstrated the need to rebuild the bonds of trust with the European citizens we represent “. But many elected officials and observers are calling for more drive and audacity to restore the credibility of Parliament, which was struck by lightning in early December via Belgian justice.
In a weekend, Greek Socialist MEP Eva Kaili, then one of the vice-presidents (the institution has 14), is locked up, as well as her spouse, parliamentary assistant, and an influential former Italian MEP, charged with alleged corruption for the benefit of the Qatar. Investigators seized during searches one and a half million euros in small denominations.
Measurement series
A few days later, meeting in Strasbourg, the stunned MEPs withdrew pronto her function as vice-president to Eva Kaili and demanded changes, in particular the suspension of Qatar’s access to Parliament while the judicial inquiry was conducted and, following its conclusion, the creation of a commission of inquiry. Implicated, the emirate firmly rejects » Corruption charges. Morocco, whose name is also mentioned, denounces him, ” media attacks » unjustified.
As of mid-December, Roberta Metsola had promised a “ comprehensive reform package “, of which she presented a first salvo on Thursday to the presidents of the parliamentary groups, who gave her the green light. Among these first steps are the restriction of access to the European Parliament to former elected officials, who until now kept the door open, or the registration in the transparency register of all external stakeholders.
►Also read: “Qatargate”: MEP Eva Kaili’s lawyer, the new laughing stock of the internet in Greece
Roberta Metsola also wants the gifts, trips or meetings of MEPs within the framework of their mandate to be published, as well as the sanctions imposed. The President of the European Parliament insisted on Monday that it was ” the beginning and not the end “. ” We will start with the measures that can be implemented quickly “, she argued.
(With AFP)