The leader of the eurosceptic Patriots for Europe group has urged Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to establish a committee of inquiry focused on transparency and accountability. This call follows recent corruption scandals, including an ongoing investigation into alleged influence peddling involving Chinese tech giant Huawei.
In a publicly released email, Jordan Bardella emphasized the need for such a committee to address issues like corruption, money laundering, abuse of power, and undue interference in legislative processes within the EU institutions. This initiative comes in the wake of a scandal where five individuals were charged in a corruption probe linked to Huawei, with Belgian prosecutors suspecting the company of bribing EU lawmakers to advance its commercial interests in Europe. Huawei has previously stated its commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and compliance with all applicable laws, pledging to communicate urgently with investigators.
The European Parliament has faced similar issues in the past, notably in 2019, when allegations surfaced of officials, lobbyists, and their families being influenced by the governments of Qatar, Morocco, and Mauritania in acts of corruption and money laundering. Bardella’s email highlighted the necessity for EU institutions to operate with full transparency and accountability, ensuring the rule of law is upheld by all EU agencies.
Last month, Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (NR) party in the French parliament, was found guilty by a Paris court of misappropriation of public funds, resulting in a five-year ban from running for office. Bardella, who was elected NR president in 2022, has given lawmakers until April 23 to support his initiative. The decision to establish the committee will be made by the Parliament, based on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents, which includes the leaders of the political groups.
A cordon sanitaire has been maintained, allowing centrist pro-European groups to collaborate in denying right-wing groups top positions, such as presidencies or vice-presidencies of the Parliament’s committees. This practice has prevented the Patriots from securing high-level positions, despite their strong performance in last June’s elections, where they became the Parliament’s third-largest group. Patriots for Europe have been approached for comment.
The Bottom Line
The establishment of a European Parliament committee to examine transparency and accountability could significantly impact how corruption and influence peddling are addressed within the EU. For ordinary citizens and businesses, such a committee could lead to more stringent regulations and oversight, potentially reducing the likelihood of corruption scandals affecting legislative processes.
The implications for EU institutions are substantial, as increased scrutiny may lead to reforms that enhance transparency and accountability. This could improve public trust in EU governance and ensure that legislative decisions are made in the best interests of citizens rather than being swayed by external influences. As EU lawmakers consider Bardella’s initiative, the outcome could shape the future of governance and integrity within the European Union.
