EU lawmakers have given the green light to amend the European Parliament’s internal rulebook and give the European Public Prosecutor’s Office powers to demand the lifting of legal immunity for EU lawmakers suspected of grave offences.
The changes were adopted unanimously on Thursday (12 January) by the Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs committee and are expected to be finalised during next week’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
However, observers have already suggested that the changes were more cosmetic than substantial to have a really transformative effect.
The changes to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure will ensure that where the investigations of the EPPO involve persons protected by privileges or immunities under EU law, the European Chief Prosecutor has to make the request for their lifting. The EPPO has been operating since June 2021.
“In the short time that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has been operational, it has unearthed billions of euros worth of possible damages in its investigations, proving itself to be an essential player in the fight against the corruption of EU funds,” said Gaby Bischoff, the Socialist rapporteur for the rules changes.
The rule change, which has been fast-tracked through the Parliament, comes as part of the chamber response to the Qatargate scandal, which has seen several MEPs and parliamentary staff arrested and investigated for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for political support. The Emirati country has denied any wrongdoing.
“There will be no impunity. None,” European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola said earlier this month after starting a fast-track process to withdraw the legal immunity of two EU lawmakers likely to face criminal charges related to the scandal.
Greek lawmaker Eva Kaili and Italian former parliament member Pier Antonio Panzeri have already been charged by Belgian authorities over allegations they received cash and gifts from Qatar to influence decision-making.
The Parliament is likely to complete the process of lifting legal immunity for those facing accusations by early February.
On Thursday, the Parliament’s leadership is also expected to publish a 14-point plan to tighten rules for lawmakers on financial declarations and contacts with lobbyists.
The blueprint is set to include requirements for MEPs to provide greater detail in their financial declarations though any plans to establish an independent ethics body will lie in the hands of the European Commission.
[Edited by Zoran Radosavljevic]
Source: euractiv.com
