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9:01 p.m : Here is a new point on the news:
The Belgian police today carried out a search of the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels, as part of an investigation into suspicions of corruption to influence decisions of this EU institution, announces the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office. Follow our live.
The country needs“about two billion cubic meters” additional gas to get through the winter, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the G7 countries meeting by videoconference today. Follow our live.
Six departments in central-eastern France are placed on orange alert for snow and ice.
“Whether it’s December 15 or January 10, it will be no to 64 years old and not to 65 years old”assured Franceinfo Yvan Ricordeau, national secretary of the CFDT, while Emmanuel Macron announced the postponement to January 10 of the presentation of the pension reform.
17h59 : It’s 6 p.m., here are the titles:
The Belgian police today carried out a search of the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels, as part of an investigation into suspicions of corruption to influence decisions of this EU institution, announces the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office. Follow our live.
#EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT “European democracy is under attack”, declared the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. The latter announced “an internal investigation”.
Six departments in central-eastern France are placed on orange alert for snow and ice.
“Whether it’s December 15 or January 10, it will be no to 64 years old and not to 65 years old”assured Franceinfo Yvan Ricordeau, national secretary of the CFDT, while Emmanuel Macron announced the postponement to January 10 of the presentation of the pension reform.
18h01 : This is the twentieth search in four days in this investigation involving Qatar, according to a judicial source. Greek Vice-President of Parliament Eva Kaili and three other people were imprisoned on Sunday by the Brussels judge who is leading the investigations.
17h48 : The Belgian police today carried out a search of the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels, as part of an investigation into suspicions of corruption to influence decisions of this EU institution, announces the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office.
17h37 : The President of the European Parliament has finished her speech and gives the floor to the Presidents of the political groups. As you can see, his tone is serious. The Maltese announced a “internal investigation” to understand what happened.
5:34 p.m. : “To the harmful actors who exist in third countries (…) you will find this Parliament on your way. We are Europeans, we prefer to be cold than bought”.
5:30 p.m. : “I have announced a special conference of the Council of Presidents to initiate a procedure related to Article 21”, explains Roberta Metsola. This procedure makes it possible to put an end to the title of vice-president of Eva Kaili. “There will be no impunity”adds the President of the Parliament. “We will launch an internal investigation”she explains, promising a reform of the way lobbies can act and “more transparency”.
17h13 : “Our services have been working with the legal and judicial authorities to dismantle this network for some time. (…) I have dismissed the person concerned from his position.”
17h13 : “This is one of the longest days of my career (…) Make no mistake, the European Parliament is under attack, European democracy is under attack”explains the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, after the indictment of the Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, for “corruption”. The head of Parliament is currently speaking to MEPs gathered in Strasbourg, at the opening of the institution’s plenary session.
15h31 : This #Qatargate within the EP is extremely serious. A commission of inquiry is needed. And even more the political boycott of the World Cup. I solemnly ask President @EmmanuelMacron to cancel his trip to Qatar! https://t.co/e6LM8vL5rS
15h31 : Former presidential candidate and environmental MEP, Yannick Jadot, asks Emmanuel Macron on Twitter to cancel his trip to Qatar for the France-Morocco semi-final, after the revelations concerning the European Parliament.
15h21 : “I’m beside myself because when you do your job as a European parliamentarian correctly, seeing attitudes like these that bring discredit to our entire institution, it really pisses me off!”
David Cormand, MEP EELV, says on franceinfo “both very angry and saddened by the opprobrium that is poured on the European institution” while suspicions of corruption taint the European Parliament.
14h57 : The case shakes the European sphere. Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, has been charged with “corruption”. The Socialist MEP was imprisoned as part of a Belgian justice investigation into large payments allegedly made by Qatar to influence decisions within the European institution. In addition to Eva Kaili, three other people were imprisoned yesterday, according to a judicial source at franceinfo. Here is what we know about their profile.
(ERIC VIDAL / EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / AFP)
14h03 : It’s 2 p.m., it’s time to take stock of the news:
“Whether it’s December 15 or January 10, it will be no to 64 years old and not to 65 years old”assured Franceinfo Yvan Ricordeau, national secretary of the CFDT, while Emmanuel Macron announced the postponement to January 10 of the presentation of the pension reform.
Suspicions of corruption within the European Parliament are “very serious”said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Follow our live.
• A virtual G7 summit notably devoted to the Russian invasion will be held this afternoon. Follow our live.
• The thermometer does not seem to be going up anytime soon. This afternoon, temperatures will hardly exceed 0°C. Six departments are placed in extreme cold yellow vigilance by Météo France.
13h23 : Hello and thank you ! Qatar reacted to AFP on Saturday. “Any allegation of misconduct by the State of Qatar demonstrates serious misinformation”said a Qatari government official.
13h23 : Hello Margaux, have you seen a reaction from Qatar on corruption in Brussels? Thank you for your excellent work
13h03 : “These allegations are extremely worrying. It is a matter of trust in the people at the heart of our institutions. This trust requires high standards of independence and integrity”clarified Ursula von der Leyen, recalling having proposed the creation of“an independent authority” on ethical issues in EU institutions.
13h02 : Suspicions of corruption within the European Parliament are “very serious”says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
11h08 : Eva Kaili, 44, first made a name for herself as a news presenter for Greek television, before branching out into politics. Find his portrait drawn up by France 2.
11h04 : The measure, which also applies to relatives of the elected, dismissed from the Greek socialist party Pasok-Kinal following this case, concerns “bank accounts, safes, companies and any other financial assets”said its president Haralambos Vourliotis.
11h04 : New sanction against the Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament. The Greek Anti-Money Laundering Authority announces that it is freezing all of Eva Kaili’s assets.
10h34 : The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, judge “very worrying” them “graves accusations” brought against the Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili. “An investigation is underway and we are following it”he said on his arrival for a meeting of European Union foreign ministers
10h23 : The vice-president of the National Rally, Sébastien Chenu, announces on France 2 the opening of a commission of inquiry into foreign interference in France. An announcement which comes after the indictment and detention for “corruption” of the Greek vice-president of the European Parliament.