The European Union’s top official, Ursula von der Leyen, called for the creation of an independent ethics body covering all of the bloc’s institutions on Monday, December 12, 2022.
She said the independent ethics body she proposed establishing would cover lobbying activities at the European Commission, the European Council and European Parliament, as well as at the European Central Bank, the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Auditors.
The EU does not already have comprehensive lobbying regulations.
“The principles of having such an ethics body where there are very clear rules on what has to be checked, how and when and what has to be published, how and when would be a big step forward.”
Ursula von der Leyen
Belgian prosecutors investigating possible influence peddling at the European Parliament charged four people over the weekend with corruption, participation in a criminal group and money laundering.
European Parliament Vice President, Eva Kaili of Greece who stands accused, was relieved of her duties.
European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola relieved Kaili of her duties over the weekend. Kaili’s party in Greece also suspended her and the EU assembly’s Socialists and Democrats group also suspended her.
Kaili’s party in Greece, the Socialist Pasok-Movement for Change, publicly distanced itself from remarks she made in the EU parliament last month praising Qatar.
Authorities said a Gulf country was suspected of offering cash or gifts to parliament officials in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors declined to identify the country, but several members of the assembly and some Belgian media linked the investigation to Qatar, which is currently hosting soccer’s gala event, the World Cup.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any wrongdoing.
Qatar came under heavy international pressure to introduce labor reforms in recent years as it sought to build new World Cup stadiums in record time, often using migrant workers who toiled for long hours under harsh conditions.
Ursula von der Leyen said the allegations of corruption targeting a vice president of the EU legislature were of “utmost concern.”
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the EU’s executive arm, said the accusations against Kaili threatened the confidence EU citizens have put in the 27-nation bloc’s institutions.
“This confidence and trust in our institutions need highest standards of independence and integrity,” von der Leyen opined.
EU And Qatar Have Bolstered Their Economic Relationships
The EU and Qatar have strengthened their economic relationships since the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Moscow slashed supplies of natural gas used to heat homes, generate electricity and power industry in Europe in response to EU sanctions, worsening an energy crisis that is fueling inflation.
The EU afterwards looked for alternatives to buy liquefied natural gas on a long-term basis, notably in Qatar. In April, the European Commission proposed lifting visa requirements for short EU stays by Qatari nationals.
Commenting on whether Belgian authorities were in touch with the European Commission as part of their investigation, von der Leyen said she had no clue.
The EU top official added that the commission was reviewing its own political transparency register.
“If any kind of new information occurs, we will have to act and react to that,” she noted.
