Corruption affair in the European Parliament/Qatar

In view of the arrests and interrogations in connection with the allegations of corruption and bribery by Qatar against Eva Kaili, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:

"Zero tolerance against corruption and bribery; this must also and especially apply to the European Parliament. The mere suspicion of corruption and venality damages the reputation and credibility of the European Parliament. We Greens/EFA call on the Vice-President of the European Parliament to resign from her office with immediate effect. If the suspicions are confirmed, she must also resign from her mandate as an MEP in order to prevent further damage to the European Parliament and the European institutions.”

Philippe Lamberts, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:

“We Greens/EFA strongly condemn corruption and bribery, cash and precious gifts cannot draw the political lines in this house. We demand comprehensive clarification and request a plenary debate and a full inquiry by the European Parliament. We Greens/EFA will vote against visa facilitation for Qatar in this week's plenary vote. Also with regard to the rule of law in Hungary, it must be absolutely clear that the European Parliament does not put its credibility on the line."

Greens/EFA MEP Erik Marquardt is the European Parliament's rapporteur on visa facilitation for Qatar.