The European Parliament adopted its position on Tuesday 16 April on the proposal for a regulation updating the investigation procedures of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in order to ensure harmonious cooperation between this body and the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which will be established in 2020.
A majority of MEPs therefore opposed the EPP, ECR and ENF groups’ attempt to postpone the vote (see EUROPE 12235/10).
Parliament endorses the draft report submitted by the Committee on Budgetary Control (see EUROPE 12212/4). It only rejected an amendment which would require the prior agreement of the future European Public Prosecutor's Office so that OLAF could open administrative investigations complementary to any criminal investigations by the Public Prosecutor's Office and intended to determine whether rapid protective measures are necessary to protect the financial interests of the European Union's budget.
Above all, the plenary session rejected, by a narrow majority (278 votes in favour, 325 against, 45 abstentions), the amendment tabled by the rapporteur, Ingeborg Grässle (EPP, Germany). This amendment was intended to prevent OLAF from investigating in the offices of MEPs and parliamentary assistants.
“No special treatment for MEPs and their staff in case of fraud suspicion. [Whoever] has nothing to hide, has nothing to fear”, said Arndt Kohn (S&D, Germany), denouncing the treble crusade of the EPP, ECR and ENF groups against the controversial provision.
In the EU Council, the Member States have not established their negotiating position. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)