The sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg usually have their own dynamic. Away from the Brussels political mill, MPs discuss day-to-day issues in a more relaxed manner, which also makes political compromises more likely.
But the first meeting of the new year this week is likely to be less relaxed than usual. Parliamentarians must begin to work through the corruption scandal that shook the entire European Union at the beginning of December.
Belgian investigators had searched numerous private rooms and offices of MPs. The then Vice-President of Parliament Eva Kaili and her partner Francesco Giorgi, who also works in Parliament, were arrested along with two other suspects and are in custody.
Successor Kailis is to be elected
They are accused of money laundering and corruption. The governments of Qatar and Morocco are said to have tried to influence European Union policies.
As a visible sign of a new beginning, a successor to Eva Kaili, who was relieved of office, will be elected in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Several applicants have already positioned themselves.
The other groups registered with some astonishment that the Social Democrats had nominated the 59-year-old Marc Angel from Luxembourg and are again demanding the post to which they are entitled according to party proportional representation.
The resentment about this is great because all accused and suspects in this scandal are in the group of European Social Democrats – and the crisis does not seem to be over for them.
Most recently, Belgian MEP Marie Arena resigned from chairing the Human Rights Inquiry Committee. The socialist, in her own words, “forgot” to indicate a luxurious trip to Qatar.
The Social Democrats are under pressure
Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella also admitted on Sunday that he had been invited to the emirate.
So the Social Democrats are under a lot of pressure. But despite the scope of the scandal, there have been no targeted attacks by the competing parties, from which political capital could be drawn – it is surprisingly quiet in Strasbourg.
This has mainly to do with the President of Parliament Roberta Metsola – and with the rather bad reputation of the EU Parliament among the citizens.
Reform proposals for more transparency
The 43-year-old sees the corruption scandal as an attack on the credibility of Parliament, indeed of the entire European Union. She repeatedly emphasizes that there is no self-service mentality among MPs.
MPs usually worked late into the night and did an excellent job, says Metsola. This is what this Parliament should be known for, and people should be proud of.
It was she who proposed stricter transparency rules for members of parliament and lobbyists immediately after the scandal became known. In the future, “all planned meetings with third parties” in connection with parliamentary decisions are to be made public, according to their reform paper, which Metsola presented in Strasbourg on Monday.
Day pass for former MPs
As a further measure to combat possible corruption, former Members of Parliament should no longer be given a permanently valid access card to Parliament and should no longer be allowed to grant access to other people. Instead, they should only receive a day pass.
The speaker of the parliament counters criticism as to why the reforms are not more drastic, pointing out that these are only the first measures that could be implemented in the next few weeks without major problems. Further tightening would follow in the coming months.
Morocco has always been the spoiled child of European foreign policy
Miguel UrbanMP for the left.
Morocco could find out in these days that other conditions now prevail in the European Parliament. In recent years, the EU’s criticism of human rights violations in the Maghreb state has always been rather moderate.
This also has to do with the country’s central role in European refugee policy and the fight against terrorism. However, the EU’s reluctance could dwindle after the corruption scandal.
On Tuesday, for the first time in 25 years, the human rights situation in Morocco will be discussed publicly in the Strasbourg plenary session.
Morocco has always been the “spoiled child of European foreign policy,” says Miguel Urban, MP for the left. This exceptional position should now come to an end.
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