The scandal that is shaking the European Parliament was at the center of a debate this afternoon on the program “It’s not every day on Sunday” on RTL INFO.
Greek Socialist MEP Eva Kaili and her husband Francesco Giorgio are at the heart of the storm. The revelations this week of this parliamentary collaborator caused an earthquake. What happened ? Has the European Parliament allowed itself to be invaded by corruption? Who are the responsibles ? Have Belgian MPs received money or gifts from Qatar or other countries?
Many questions were raised during the debate. The guests notably mentioned the possible involvement of Marc Tarabella. The Belgian Socialist MEP is quoted by Francesco Giorgio. “He says, you have to be very specific about the terms, that he suspects his boss, Mr. Panzeri, of having paid money, in particular to Marc Tarabella. We are there for the moment. Marc Tarabella denies this accusation as a whole. “, points out Louis Colart, journalist at Le Soir.
On the socialist side, they refused a text that was really critical of Qatar
The Belgian is therefore suspected of having received money for the benefit of Qatar. There is no evidence for the moment but the position of the Socialist deputy has evolved on the issue over time to lead to weaker laws. “What we have seen is that on the socialist side they refused a text that was really critical of Qatar. First thing. Second thing, and it’s not just the Socialists on this, an amendment aimed at including Morocco in this Qatar resolution was rejected. Including by some liberals. Unfortunately, I think that both for Qatar and for Morocco, we have not finished having revelations. This is extremely damaging for the European institution”, reveals Saskia Bricmont, Ecolo MEP.
Twice traveling to Qatar
Marc Tarabella denies having received anything from Qatar, where he has visited twice as an MP. “Mr. Tarabella has visited Qatar twice. He was vice-president of the Arabian Peninsula group in the European parliament and also a member of the sports inter-group in the European parliament. And so it was in this context that he went to Qatar”confirms Anne Lambelin, vice-president of the socialist party (PS).
We are therefore really on criminal qualifications
We don’t know who paid for the trip, but the suspicions of justice go far beyond that. This major dossier goes well beyond the Belgian MP. The question is whether there is a system put in place by third countries to exert influence on European policy. “If we think that this story in the European parliament is a problem of lobbying that went a little too far and crossed the red line, I think we are very wrong. It is a problem of interference from countries third parties within the institutions and corruption. We are therefore really on criminal qualifications”underlines the journalist Louis Colart.
“I have nothing to reproach myself”, reacted Marc Tarabella after the outbreak of this scandal. The deputy was temporarily suspended from the PS. For her part, Eva Kaili must be heard by the investigators on December 22.