The President of the Commission takes the floor on the affair which shakes the European Parliament. Suspicions of corruption within the institution are “very serious”estimated Ursula von der Leyen, Monday 12 december. Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili is charged with corruption and money laundering as part of an investigation by a Belgian judge into suspected payments by Qatar. She was imprisoned on Sunday in Brussels. “These allegations are extremely worrying. It is a matter of trust in the people at the heart of our institutions. This trust requires high standards of independence and integrity”, said the head of the European Commission. She recalled having proposed the creation of“an independent authority” on ethical issues in EU institutions. Follow our live.
“Serious accusations” deemed “very worrying” by Josep Borell. The head of European diplomacy spoke Monday on his arrival at a meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union. “This is truly an incredible incident which must now be elucidated unequivocally and with all the rigor of the law, because it is also and above all about the credibility of Europe”added German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Four people charged and imprisoned. In all, six people were arrested on Friday evening, but two were released. In addition to Eva Kaili, former Italian MEP Pier-Antonio Panzeri, who sat from 2004 to 2019, Eva Kaili’s companion, Francesco Giorgi, who is a parliamentary assistant, and Italian trade union leader Luca Visentini are among these six names . But it is not known who among them, apart from Eva Kaili, has been charged.
A discussion in the European Parliament. The case will be discussed during the day during a meeting of the presidents of the political groups of the European Parliament at the opening of the plenary session organized in Strasbourg.
The Greece froze all of Eva Kaili’s assets. The Greek Anti-Money Laundering Authority made the announcement on Monday morning. The measure, which also applies to relatives of the elected, concerns “bank accounts, safes, companies and any other financial assets”depending on the institution.