To repair the reputational damage caused by the Qatargate scandal, the European Parliament needs specific integrity measures, a checks and balances system, more transparency in the decision-making process at the level of all institutions, and stronger rules to regulate lobbying, writes Victor Negrescu.
Victor Negrescu is a member of the European Parliament (S&D Group).
The recent Qatargate corruption scandal has represented a cold shower for many European decision-makers, as well as for the image of the European Parliament and of the European Union.
The Brussels bubble was always perceived as being the white horse of European politics, managing to avoid big scandals, at least since the resignation of the Santer Commission.
In the aftermath of such moments, voices are divided between the ones calling for revolutionary reforms and the ones wanting to maintain the status quo. The differences increased so radically that reaching a consensus becomes more and more difficult, even though it is exactly the solution that we need to search for.
To achieve this, we need to build a bridge between different views, by openly discussing how European politics has been done, the procedures, the administrative burdens, the integrity rules and how to make the work in the European institutions more efficient and effective.
We need to launch an open-participatory consultation platform gathering all relevant stakeholders and institutional actors to reflect and identify the best solutions to move forward.
Those trying to portray the scandal as being only the responsibility of the European Parliament are wrong. It should be a matter of concern for all EU institutions and also for European leaders. The current situation should not be used to mismatch targets.
We need to fight against corruption and for integrity and transparency while continuing to do our job.
Not all politicians are the same. Many MEPs, from different political groups, and EU institutions, in particular the European Parliament, are working hard to deliver on the commitments made towards EU citizens.
I know that hard work and involvement do not make headlines, but they make things happen. In my years of experience in European politics, in which I have contributed actively at drafting legislation that can make people’s lives better, I have noticed that those working actively do not always get the visibility and the credits they deserve.
Few know about the meticulous work required for tabling amendments, the long negotiations needed to reach a compromise, the struggles of many MEPs to get the one-minute intervention in the plenary, needed to show their work, the difficult administrative load imposed for the management of offices or the limitations when it comes to the capacity of the European Parliament to actually generate or influence legislation at European level.
All of these issues need to be improved in order to allow MEPs to focus on their task of drafting legislation. I am proud of the work many of my colleagues are doing and I am not afraid of saying that.
I also need to praise the leadership shown by the S&D Group in dealing immediately with the current challenges by reacting with responsibility and without fear. Zero tolerance for corruption is the only solution. I know that since we have successfully achieved such reform in Romania.
For these transformations to be successful we need to work transparently with civil society and listen to EU citizens. The changes cannot be achieved behind the curtains.
We need specific integrity measures, a checks and balances system, more transparency in the decision-making process at the level of all institutions, stronger rules designed to avoid and counter foreign interference, to regulate lobbying, and to offer proper support to whistle-blowers in EU institutions. More accountability and responsibility are needed.
The European Parliament has been, for many years, in all European polls, the most respected EU institution. In some countries, including my own, it ranked better than national institutions.
We cannot take the situation lightly. In a recent discussion with young people in Bucharest, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has shown once more leadership and our common desire to deal with the current challenges head on.
I am confident that we can regain people’s trust.
Source: euractiv.com
