Jorge Liboreiro, 15 December 2022, Euronews (Alpac Capital)
Excerpt:
>In the resolution passed on Thursday with 541 votes in favour and just two against, MEPs described themselves as “appalled” by the revelations and underlined the “gravity and magnitude” of the case.
>The Parliament “denounces, in the strongest terms, Qatar’s alleged attempts to influence Members, former Members and staff of the European Parliament through acts of corruption, which constitute serious foreign interference in the EU’s democratic processes,” the draft text reads.
>”Inappropriate means of influencing, bribery and other criminal offences are unacceptable.”
>MEPs asked for a suspension of the access badges issued to “representatives of Qatari interests,” which might go beyond Qatari nationals, until the investigation further clarifies the facts.
>All the EU institutions require identity badges to be entered.
>Moreover, lawmakers decided to put on hold “all work on legislative files relating to Qatar,” particularly the EU-Qatar aviation agreement, which is yet to be fully ratified, and the controversial visa liberalisation for Qatari and Kuwaiti citizens.
How about Morocco? Also the European parliament is a notorious cesspool of lobbying and under table handouts. Why not use this as an opportunity to reform lobbying more widely?
What is it that the Qatar government wants from the politicians that’s worth all that money? Haven’t been following.
3 comments
Jorge Liboreiro, 15 December 2022, Euronews (Alpac Capital)
Excerpt:
>In the resolution passed on Thursday with 541 votes in favour and just two against, MEPs described themselves as “appalled” by the revelations and underlined the “gravity and magnitude” of the case.
>The Parliament “denounces, in the strongest terms, Qatar’s alleged attempts to influence Members, former Members and staff of the European Parliament through acts of corruption, which constitute serious foreign interference in the EU’s democratic processes,” the draft text reads.
>”Inappropriate means of influencing, bribery and other criminal offences are unacceptable.”
>MEPs asked for a suspension of the access badges issued to “representatives of Qatari interests,” which might go beyond Qatari nationals, until the investigation further clarifies the facts.
>All the EU institutions require identity badges to be entered.
>Moreover, lawmakers decided to put on hold “all work on legislative files relating to Qatar,” particularly the EU-Qatar aviation agreement, which is yet to be fully ratified, and the controversial visa liberalisation for Qatari and Kuwaiti citizens.
Further reading:
*Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability*, 15 December 2022, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20221212IPR64541/corruption-scandal-meps-insist-on-reforms-for-transparency-and-accountability
How about Morocco? Also the European parliament is a notorious cesspool of lobbying and under table handouts. Why not use this as an opportunity to reform lobbying more widely?
What is it that the Qatar government wants from the politicians that’s worth all that money? Haven’t been following.