The EU Parliament is the focus of extensive corruption investigations by Belgian investigators.
(Photo: dpa)
Brussels Was this speech bought – and if so, how much did it cost? A vice-president of the European Parliament, Greek Social Democrat Eva Kaili, took the floor during a debate on Qatar on November 21 and raved about reforms in the country.
The World Cup is proof of how the sport could achieve a “historic transformation,” she said. Qatar has become a pioneer for workers’ rights and inspires “the Arab world”.
Kaili was arrested in Brussels on Friday and interrogated by investigators. The Belgian public prosecutor announced that it was about a suspected criminal organization and allegations of corruption and money laundering. Behind it should be the attempted influence of a Gulf state. According to information from Belgian media, it is Qatar.
Not only Kaili is the focus of the investigators. The investigators searched a total of 16 offices and apartments in Brussels. They seized data carriers, smartphones and around 600,000 euros in cash. 500,000 euros alone are said to have been found in the apartment of MP Antonio Panzeri (SPE). Five people were arrested.
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Kaili was expelled from her party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok), on Friday evening, party leader Nikos Androulakis confirmed. The Greek has been an MEP since 2014 and one of 14 Vice-Presidents of Parliament since 2022. She started her career as a newsreader and journalist, later she worked as a PR consultant in Greece.
Although the clarification is only just beginning, one thing is clear: the reputation and legitimacy of the EU Parliament are threatened with serious damage should the suspicion of corruption be confirmed.
Suspicion of influence for several months
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the Belgian police have suspected for several months that a Gulf state is trying to influence the political and economic decisions of the European Parliament. Substantial sums of money or gifts in kind are said to have been distributed to persons in Parliament who held a political or strategic position. One goal of the Qataris was apparently to facilitate entry.
With success: The EU wanted to lift the visa requirement for Qatar for short-term stays. Parliament should vote on Monday. This process should now be stopped according to the will of the Greens. MEP Michael Bloss wrote on Twitter: “The visa liberalization for Qatar is now being put on hold and everything must be fully clarified.” Corruption destroys democracy.
The Vice-President of the European Parliament was immediately expelled from her party.
(Photo: dpa)
A spokesman for the European Parliament said it would fully cooperate with the relevant authorities. The Social Democratic Group in Parliament made a similar statement. There is no tolerance for corruption. At the same time, work in Parliament on all issues affecting the Gulf States and the plenary votes on them would have to be suspended.
Looking back, it’s almost as if Kaili foresaw her troubles. She seemed to have lost her way with Qatar’s critics. In her November 21 parliamentary speech, Kaili complained that “some here” discriminate against Qatar and “accuse corruption of everyone who talks to them or is in contact with them”.
With agency material
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