At the start of the European Parliament’s plenary session on Monday 16 January, MEPs unanimously approved (385 votes in favour, 0 against and 4 abstentions) the addition of a debate on new developments in allegations of corruption and foreign interference in the European Parliament, “including those related to Morocco”.
The mention of Morocco in the title of the debate reflects the will of MEPs not to confine the so-called ‘Qatargate’ affair to the Emirate.
The debate will take place on Tuesday afternoon and will also focus on “the need to increase transparency, integrity and accountability in the European institutions”, according to the title chosen by MEPs.
While Belgian Socialist MEPs Marc Tarabella and Marie Arena recently admitted not declaring trips to Qatar paid for by Doha, the Parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola (EPP, Maltese), insisted on the need to “rebuild trust with European citizens” in her opening address to the plenary session.
She went on to assure that her proposals to strengthen integrity, independence and accountability in the European Parliament (see EUROPE 13098/8) are only the beginning of a long-term reform process.
In addition, the President confirmed that she had forwarded to the Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs the request for the waiver of the immunity of Andrea Cozzolino (S&D, Italian) and Marc Tarabella (S&D, Belgian) for consideration, following a request to that effect from the Belgian judicial authorities investigating Qatargate (see EUROPE 13098/8, 13091/10).
The Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs will have the task of examining this request, in camera, and making a proposal for a decision, which will ultimately be voted on by all MEPs in plenary in February, if possible.
On Wednesday, the Parliament will also elect a new Vice-President to replace Eva Kaili (Non-attached, Greek), the MEP currently under arrest for her alleged involvement in Qatargate. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot with Lionel Changeur)