Status: 12/10/2022 1:46 p.m
After the arrest of the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Kaili, and other suspects, political Brussels is shaken. In view of the allegations of corruption, MEPs are calling for a quick investigation – and Kaili’s resignation.
In the corruption investigations into the Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, a decision will be made on Sunday whether the Greek politician and four other suspects will stay in prison. Then possible arrest warrants will be decided, said a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office of the dpa news agency. The five suspects were arrested yesterday.
According to dpa information, one of them is the partner of the Greek politician, who works in parliament as an adviser on foreign policy and human rights. In addition, according to the public prosecutor’s office, a former MEP is among those arrested. According to media reports, all suspects except Kaili have Italian nationality or are of Italian descent.
Kaili is expelled from the party and faction
According to the public prosecutor, the investigation is about a suspected criminal organization, attempted influence from abroad and allegations of corruption and money laundering. For several months, there have been suspicions that a Gulf state is trying to influence the political and economic decisions of the EU Parliament. Belgian media reports that this is said to be the Emirate of Qatar, where the World Cup is currently being held. Mobile phones and a considerable amount of cash were seized in the course of the raids in Brussels.
Kaili’s party, the Greek PASOK, immediately expelled the politician, according to party leader Nikos Androulakis. And the Social Democratic group in the EU Parliament, to which PASOK belongs, suspended Kaili’s membership.
German MPs call for resignation
The co-chair of the European Parliament’s anti-corruption working group, Daniel Freund, was shocked by the investigation and demanded that the allegations be fully clarified, there was a risk of a loss of trust. “And the European Parliament is actually one of the most transparent in Europe. Under these conditions, we cannot discuss visa-free travel for Qatari citizens to the EU. It must first be clarified whether decisions by the EP or the EU were influenced here.”
The German Vice President of the EU Parliament, Nicola Beer, was also shocked by the allegations of corruption the day after. “That stunned me,” she told the dpa. “It is absolutely clear that this has an overall negative impact on Parliament.” Beer suggested Kaili’s resignation: “I hope that she will take action herself.” The two politicians are two of a total of 14 Vice Presidents of the European Parliament.
The chairman of the SPD MEPs, Jens Geier, also called on Kaili to resign immediately. “Of course she can no longer represent Parliament,” he said. “It can’t go on like this for a day.”
Kaili’s speech on the situation in Qatar conspicuous
The investigation must now show whether and to what extent possible gifts of money or favors could have influenced concrete political decisions. A speech by Kaili in November on the human rights situation in Qatar is already raising questions. In it she speaks of Qatar as a pioneer for labor rights. The World Cup is proof of how sports diplomacy can bring about historic change in a country.
It was also said that Kaili had met with the Qatari foreign minister. For MEP Freund, this is proof of how third countries want to influence the EU: “Brussels actually has very good lobbying rules. However, third countries such as Qatar have so far been completely exempt from this. The EU definitely needs to make improvements here. Lobbying by Third countries must be included in the lobby register and meetings with representatives of third countries must be published.” So far, these rules only apply to EU lobby groups.