President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola is making it her personal business to restore the credibility of the European institution—shaken by a reported scandal of MEPs being bribed by third countries, such as Qatar and Morocco (see EUROPE 13085/4)—just over a year before the next European elections.
On Thursday, 12 January, the Maltese Christian Democrat will present the presidents of the political groups with the first concrete internal reform measures designed to address the shortcomings brought to light by the scandal of third countries bribing MEPs—some of which were identified in the specific resolution that the European Parliament adopted in December (see EUROPE 13085/20).
Certain elements of the reform, such as reinforcing the controls on former MEPs and third-country representatives visiting the European Parliament, can be adopted relatively quickly. Others—like the issue of transparency with regard to MEPs’ additional income, the European Parliament’s collaboration with Member States’ police and justice systems, and the internal protection of whistleblowers—will require a revision of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and will have to go through the parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs before a plenary vote.
In its resolution, the European Parliament also announces the establishment of a special committee to detect flaws in the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. A new European Parliament vice-president in charge of fighting corruption and foreign interference is also expected to be appointed.
Mrs Metsola will base her proposals on the principle that the more a democratic institution is open and transparent about its activities, the more it is in a position to win the trust of the citizens it represents. She also wishes to hear political groups’ thoughts and take on board any potential proposals they may make.
When she was elected in January 2022, the European Parliament president had announced her desire to reform the European Parliament so as to make it a more efficient and more transparent European institution. Based on the process launched by her predecessor David Sassoli (see EUROPE 12786/18), proposals to that end will be unveiled later this year. A dedicated working group could be created. The aim is to finalise the reform so that it is in place by spring 2024. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)