EFA MEPs demand transparency in the EP

The European Free Alliance  Group in the European Parliament demands more transparency around all parliamentary business. 

Following the Qatar and Morocco corruption scandals, citizens have lost confidence in the integrity and values of the European Parliament.

EFA MEPs call for stricter rules that can reinstate people’s trust in the European institutions and condemn the lack of accountability in the current system, asking for a broad mandate to investigate foreign interference and potential bribery and corruption.

As the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament, we also denounce the intimidation some of our MEPs are suffering for speaking out and challenging these corruption scandals.

Ana Miranda, EFA MEP, has been suffering from these intimidation tactics from Moroccan institutions in her work against the “MoroccoGate” corruption scandal.

All our support and solidarity with Ana.

Jordi Sole, EFA Group President, said: 

“As long as there is someone tempted by corruption, and others willing to corrupt, our institutions will be exposed to corruption.”

“Therefore, we must adopt rules and mechanisms that minimize, and possibly eradicate, the chances for corrupt practices to make their way into our institutions.”

“The Qatargate and Morrocogate scandals have made it clear that our rules on transparency, integrity, anti-corruption and the use of public money must be improved, and we are working on that.”

“In 2021 this Parliament already proposed establishing an independent ethics body to oversee the maintenance of standards of integrity.”

“And despite the fact that President Von der Leyen promised to do so, thus far the Commission has not presented any proposal in this regard.”

“Democracy is partly based on the delegation of representation and trust by our citizens. And that means being able to trust representatives committed to the highest ethical standards, as well as institutions capable of enforcing their own rules of integrity.

“Let’s spare no effort in achieving this.”

Ana Miranda, EFA MEP said:

“In December in the face of ongoing corruption scandals, Parliament decided to set up a committee of enquiry to investigate cases of corruption by third countries and a special transparency committee; that representatives of Qatari interests should not have access to Parliament; and a call for an EU-wide ban on donations from third countries to MEPs and political parties. In  Mid-January: We returned to debate with no strong action taken.”

“At the end of January, 30 MEPs wrote to President Metsola calling for speed and action by the European Parliament on this scandal and that this corruption scandal is not limited to Qatar.”

“Several MEPs are being attacked in the networks for denouncing this. Even last Thursday, the Moroccan House of Representatives dedicated a session to us, with names and surnames, pointing the finger at several MEPs who denounced this interference and questioned the European Parliament. “ 

“Integrity is a value, and it has been lacking here. It is time to restore it with firm and forceful measures to put an end to these corrupt practices.”