2023-04-18 01:28:01
This is a direct consequence of “Qatargate”, a corruption scandal that shook the European Parliament. The office of the institution decided, Monday, April 17, to prohibit former MEPs from lobbying the Parliament for a period of six months from the end of their mandate.
“Following the approval by the presidents of political groups in Parliament of the reform plan proposed by the President [du Parlement Roberta] Metsola, the bureau adopted the first implementing decision revising the rules applicable to former Members of the European Parliament”the institution said in a statement.
This decision, which will come into force on 1is May, modifies the current rules, dating from 1999, on the prerogatives granted to former MEPs.
It follows the alleged corruption scandal known as “Qatargate”, which broke out last December. In this case, several MEPs have been charged, as well as the former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, who has become the head of an NGO, who admitted “having been one of the leaders of a criminal organization (…) linked to Qatar and Morocco”.
A transparency register
The scandal led the Speaker of Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to announce reforms. The first decision adopted on Monday introduces a “reflection period” six-month period during which former MPs are prohibited from lobbying Parliament. Until now, they could exercise this activity at the end of their mandate. This new waiting period is however considered insufficient by many observers and certain deputies who argued for a two-year ban.
The European Parliament, however, claims to have put in place safeguards. After this time six months, “if former MEPs decide to carry out lobbying or representation activities with the European Parliament, they must register in the transparency register. Therefore, they will not benefit from the access rights and facilities granted to them as former members”underlines the institution.
Other measures will be examined in the coming weeks, “such as the participation of interest representatives in events organized in Parliament”. The institution also ensures that “at the same time, the implementation of a number of measures requiring amendments to the Parliament’s rules of procedure is underway”.
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