MEPs meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday 15 December adopted by an overwhelming majority (541 votes in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions) a resolution on the suspicions of corruption in Qatar and the more general need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions.
As detailed in our previous newsletter (see EUROPE 13084/6), the resolution includes the creation of a special committee to identify loopholes in the European Parliament’s ethical rules, the creation of a committee of inquiry and an independent ethical authority common to the European institutions.
In addition, the text provides for the appointment of a Vice-President of Parliament responsible for integrity and the fight against corruption. The financial and human resources of the transparency register should be increased. The register should also become mandatory and its scope should be extended to third country representatives and former MEPs. MEPs also asked for disclosure of information on the ‘legislative footprints’ of proposed texts and amendments.
MEPs are also in favour of a system of declaration of assets at the beginning and end of each mandate. This would only be accessible to the competent authorities. This procedure would limit conflicts of interest when Members of Parliament also hold secondary jobs, such as on boards of directors, or advisory boards. The resolution also calls on the Commission to prepare a proposal for a ban on donations from third countries to MEPs.
Badges for access to Parliament for Qatari representatives will be suspended, as will legislative work relating to the Emirate and all official visits by parliamentarians to Qatar, until suspicions are confirmed or refuted.
Although Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the resolution, not all groups have the same reading. Renew Europe believes that this resolution came “too early” and regrets that Parliament reacted “in the heat of the moment”.
“This resolution is imprecise, leaves a lot of room for interpretation and includes populist amendments, notably from the Left”, said the political group in a statement, but it confirmed before the vote: “Despite our strong reservations, we will vote in favour of this resolution to show our total opposition to all forms of corruption”.
Several amendments had been submitted by The Left, including a clear recognition of Qatar’s influence against the resolution on human rights violations related to the World Cup. This amendment was included in the text adopted by Parliament.
The adoption of the resolution comes as a scandal involving alleged corruption by Qatar of several members, former members and staff of Parliament has rocked Parliament since Friday 9 December (see EUROPE 13083/1). (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)