The E.U. reels as a corruption and bribery scandal damaged lawmakers’ careers, and fingers pointed at Qatari officials accused of seeking to play down labor rights concerns ahead of the World Cup.
It has undermined the assembly’s claim to the moral high ground in its own investigations, such as into allegations of corruption in member country Hungary.
The parliament, however, has always been a ripe target for people seeking funds or favors or to influence policy, from tobacco lobbyists and auto industry representatives to officials from national governments. The difference this time is that Belgian prosecutors found out.Frederick Florin / AFP - Getty Images
Prosecutors have charged four people, who have not been identified, with corruption, participation in a criminal group and money laundering. Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili of Greece was suspended, and senior lawmakers are set Tuesday to terminate her term in office. “Qatar has bought the votes of this assembly in order to cover up the exploitation and death of migrant workers on the World Cup infrastructures,” Manon Aubry, co-chair of the Left group, said Monday. “I really want to send a very clear message to Qatar. You cannot buy MEPs like you can buy football clubs.”
Senior members of the E.U.’s executive branch, the European Commission, have praised the labor reforms Qatar made ahead of the World Cup. In April, the commission also began a drive to provide visa-free travel for Qataris holding biometric passports who want to come to Europe for short stays, although the parliament has shelved its role in that process in light of the investigation.
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