The leaders of the European Parliament’s different political groups approved, on Wednesday 8 February, a plan to reform the European Parliament’s internal rules proposed by its President Roberta Metsola (EPP, Maltese) (see EUROPE 13117/14), which should make it possible to fight corruption and questionable lobbying practices.
“I promised swift and decisive action in response to the loss of confidence. These reforms agreed today are a new start to strengthen the integrity, independence and accountability in the European Parliament”, commented Ms Metsola, referring to the case of alleged corruption of members and former members of the institution by Qatar, which erupted last December (see EUROPE 13091/10).
In detail, these initial reforms, which seek to strike a balance between strengthening integrity and independence while protecting the free mandate of MEPs, include several components.
The first steps of the parliamentary reform would thus be a mandatory registration in the Transparency Register for any event with participation of interest representatives in the Parliament.
The obligation to declare planned meetings with diplomatic representatives of third countries and with third parties covered by the scope of the Transparency Register would be extended to MEPs, assistants and other staff who play an “active role in a report or resolution”.
Friendship groups with third countries where official Parliamentary interlocutors already exist and that “could cause confusion” would be banned.
Former MEPs and staff members, on the other hand, could no longer receive permanent access, but would be given identifiable daily access badges.
For rapporteurs and shadow rapporteurs, the text introduces the obligation to submit a conflict of interest declaration to the secretariat of the committee concerned when appointed.
Also in the area of personal interests, the declaration of financial interests form would be revised. It should include “clearer information on Members’ side jobs and outside activities”.
In addition, the text foresees the introduction of a six-month “cooling off period” for MEPs who wish to lobby Parliament when they are no longer in office.
The draft resolution on an interinstitutional ethics body, supported by the Renew Europe group, did not receive the support of the S&D and EPP groups. “We will simply have a debate on the issue at the next plenary session”, a source close to the matter told EUROPE.
Other measures, said the Presidency of the European Parliament, will be proposed in the medium and long term, including the creation of a committee dedicated to transparency and to the fight against corruption. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)