Corruption Scandal in the European Parliament: Who Got the Bags of Money?

Tags

Top Highlights

• investigations into corruption, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.

• 16.12.2022

• bribery scandal

• European Parliament

• former and current members of parliament and on staff members

• The Greek center-left Social Democrat Eva Kaili is one of Metsola's 14 vice presidents and, so far, the most prominent suspect in the scandal.

• investigators

• seized nearly 1.5 million euros in cash

• received bribes from a Gulf state, likely Qatar, in exchange for favors.

• climate of mistrust has spread in Brussels

• Social Democrats are among the accused, but rumors are circulating about other cases in other parties in the parliament.

• sensitive for the EU's executive branch

• Europe needs oil and gas from the Gulf states, yet relations were already strained because of Western criticism surrounding the World Cup in Qatar.

• Can a country that wants to buy influence over democratic processes be a partner for Europe?