After "Qatargate", Brussels presents an "inter-institutional ethics committee"
On 8 June, the European Commission presented in Brussels its proposals to establish a supervisory body, an "inter-institutional ethics committee". This text was eagerly awaited, because it arrives on the table six months after the "Qatargate" scandal which shed light on corruption facts concerning several MEPs. These proposals will now have to be adopted by the 27 EU countries and MEPs, and already criticism is rife.
On 8 June, the European Commission presented in Brussels its proposals to establish a supervisory body, an "inter-institutional ethics committee". © FMM Graphic Studio
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With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
The "Qatargate" scandal was a thunderbolt for the institutions of the European Union and this proposal was all the more expected as a new revelation was added two months later with the director of one of the central administrations of the Commission who authorized himself to accept free travel offered by Qatar Airways.
The creation of this body had already been proposed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as early as 2019 and there has already been a parliamentary report on the issue.
The Commission therefore proposes to establish a body that will involve the members of the nine EU institutions, including, for example, the European Central Bank.
>> READ ALSO: MEPs denounce the slow pace of reforms against corruption
The mountain gives birth to a mouse?
The principle is to ensure a common foundation to guarantee their integrity. Declarations of assets, outside activities, travel, gifts, honours and meetings with representatives of interest groups would be examined.
The author of the parliamentary report already states that this proposal is insufficient, because the Commission is not asking for the ethics committee to be given powers of investigation, enforcement or enforcement.
A year before the next European elections, some believe that the mountain has given birth to a mouse and hoped for a sledgehammer tool to restore the trust of EU citizens.
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- European Union
- Corruption
- Qatar