Scandal-hit EU assembly set to move on anti-corruption plan
BRUSSELS (AP) — Spurred into action by a major corruption scandal, the European Parliament president wants to prevent former lawmakers from lobbying on behalf of businesses or governments soon after they leave office and to make public the names of current members who break assembly rules, a parliamentary official said Wednesday.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola also seeks tougher checks on lobbyists and the public listing of any meetings that lawmakers may have with them, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the measures haven't yet been endorsed by parliament.
The plans were divulged just a month after Belgian authorities arrested four people on charges of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization. Lawmakers and officials concede that it may be the biggest corruption scandal to have hit the European Union.
Those charged include a member of the parliament, Eva Kaili, and her boyfriend Francesco Giorgi, an assistant there. They are accused of working with former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri who, according to an arrest warrant, “is suspected of intervening politically with members working at the European Parliament for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco" in exchange for payment.
Belgian justice authorities also want parliament to lift the immunity of two other serving EU lawmakers, Italian Andrea Cozzolino and Belgian Marc Tarabella. Both deny involvement. The fourth person currently facing charges is Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, head of the charity group No Peace Without Justice.
“There are not only procedures but very serious laws that have been broken,” the official said. “We understand that the trust that has been placed in the European Parliament has taken a hit, around Europe amongst citizens.”
The...