Bribery in the EU Parliament

Brussels – The Belgian judiciary has issued arrest warrants for four suspects over the corruption scandal in the European Parliament. “They are accused of participating in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption,” the prosecutor’s office announced in Brussels on Sunday. According to judicial circles, parliamentary vice president Eva Kaili is also among them. According to the prosecutor’s office, the apartment of another MEP was searched on Sunday.

Kaili had been arrested on Friday. The background is one of the biggest corruption scandals in the history of the EU Parliament. It involves investigations into alleged bribery and venality, money laundering and attempted influence on political decisions by the emirate of Qatar, the host of the current World Cup. At least 16 searches were carried out on Friday and six arrests were made over the weekend. Two of those arrested were released by the judge in custody.

First consequences for Kaili
In response, Metsola stripped Kaili on Saturday of all powers, duties and responsibilities as one of the 14 vice presidents of the EU Parliament. Only EU parliamentarians can collectively decide on Kaili’s removal. However, despite the required two-thirds majority, this is likely to be only a formality. For example, German EP Vice-President Katarina Barley announced on Sunday that the Socialist group would request Kaili’s removal. As a group member, the Greek Socialist had already been suspended. Austrian EP Vice President Othmar Karas (ÖVP) also stressed that Kaili should be stripped of her post. ÖVP delegation leader Angelika Winzig even put the Greek’s MEP seat up for grabs. “Should the allegations prove true, she will also not be allowed to continue as a member of the House,” Winzig announced on Sunday.

Qatar trip canceled
Because of the corruption scandal, there were calls for further consequences. Thus, the Greens, the Left Group and the Social Democrats spoke out in favor of postponing negotiations on visa facilitation for Qatari citizens, which were supposed to begin on Monday. A spokesman for the EU Parliament confirmed to AFP on Sunday that a planned Qatar trip by MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee would be canceled “due to the current circumstances.” A group of MEPs had been due to travel to Qatar and Saudi Arabia in two weeks. The trip to Saudi Arabia is to take place as planned.