On Thursday, the deputies of the European Parliament received Volodymyr Zelensky with enthusiasm. And on the eve of the leaders of the main political factions of the EP were engaged in less solemn business.
They considered the proposals of EP President Roberta Metsola, developed in the wake of Cathargate, a high-profile corruption scandal that erupted in December. Then it turned out that the vice-speaker of the EP, the Greek socialist Eva Kaili, one former MEP, several parliamentary aides and two leaders of non-governmental organizations associated with the EP received money from the Qatari authorities in exchange for creating a positive image of the emirate.
This produced a shock effect in the institutions of the EU and especially in the European Parliament itself, which has always claimed to be the defender of the rule of law and the champion of transparency and the fight against corruption. Metsola almost immediately announced the need for internal reforms, which should minimize the opportunities for shadow lobbying and bribing deputies and restore confidence in the union’s legislature.
On Wednesday, the leaders of the parliamentary factions considered and supported Metsola’s 14-point plan, which constitutes a package of “first steps” to strengthen transparency and integrity in the work of the EP. Then this plan must be approved by the entire parliament and implemented within the next few months.
The plan includes:
– a ban on lobbying activities in the parliament of former MEPs for 6 months after the termination of powers (initially, Metsola proposed a period of 24 months, but this caused objections from the largest faction – the center-right European People’s Party, to which Metsola herself belongs);
– stricter rules for different interest groups to be registered in the EP’s transparency register if they want to participate in its events;
– a ban on the creation of informal “friendship groups” with non-EU countries and stricter reporting rules for MPs on sponsored trips, gifts and conflicts of interest;
– a ban on employees of the EP apparatus and assistants to deputies to hold senior positions in NGOs funded by governments outside the EU;
– obligatory entry of visitors to the parliament in a special journal;
— Protective measures for whistle-blowers, especially deputy aides, who are now at risk of losing their jobs if they report misconduct.
Curiously, these rather modest transparency measures were discussed behind closed doors. Nevertheless, it became known that the leaders of the three factions – “Socialists”, “Greens” and “Left” – insisted on more radical changes. They want deputies to declare their property and money before receiving a mandate and after it is over, as well as to disclose in detail their additional income.
And the leader of the liberal Renew Europe faction, Stefan Sejourne, with the support of the Greens and the Left, insists on the creation by the European Commission and the European Parliament of a special independent ethics body that would deal with minimizing corruption risks and investigating violations in all EU institutions. According to such plans, the ethics body should consist of nine members appointed by the Commission, Parliament, the European Ombudsman and the EU Court of Justice. Supporters of its appearance believe that the existing system of internal monitoring and internal sanctions has failed. Apparently, this idea has a future: in December, at the height of the scandal, the head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, spoke out in favor of creating a common ethics body.
In any case, it is clear that Cathargate will not soon leave the agenda of the European Parliament, and intense discussions about ways to overcome it will continue.
Source: Rosbalt
