The European Parliament dismisses Eva Kaili as vice president for "serious misconduct" in Qatargate

The plenary session of the European Parliament has approved today by an overwhelming majority the dismissal of the MEP Eva Kaili from the position of vice-president of the institution alleging "serious misconduct" in her conduct after the Greek socialist was surprised in "flagrant crime" at her home, where 150,000 euros in cash and gifts allegedly received from Qatar were found, within the framework of the investigation of the historic bribery scandal at the institution.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
13 December 2022 Tuesday 06:31
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The European Parliament dismisses Eva Kaili as vice president for "serious misconduct" in Qatargate

The plenary session of the European Parliament has approved today by an overwhelming majority the dismissal of the MEP Eva Kaili from the position of vice-president of the institution alleging "serious misconduct" in her conduct after the Greek socialist was surprised in "flagrant crime" at her home, where 150,000 euros in cash and gifts allegedly received from Qatar were found, within the framework of the investigation of the historic bribery scandal at the institution.

The proposal, adopted unanimously in the first instance this morning by the heads of the political groups and the president Roberta Metsola, has been endorsed by the plenary in its first voting session of the day, where it has gone ahead by 628 votes in favour, one against and two abstentions, thus reaching the support of two thirds of the votes of the chamber and of each political group, as provided for in the regulation. The initiative, Metsola explained this morning in a brief intervention before the plenary session, is based on article 21 of the institution's procedural rules, which regulate how to manage an "early termination" in the event that someone is considered guilty of "lack of serious".

Iratxe García Pérez, leader of the ranks of the Socialists in the European Parliament, declared this morning "frustrated and disappointed" by the conduct of Kaili and other colleagues peppered by the investigation. Asked about the large number of "Italian passports" related to the case (Kaili's partner is an Italian who works for the socialist group and the other two detainees are also Italian, including a former socialist MEP), García emphasized that "This is not a case that affects a political group, nor a country, nor a delegation" but rather "individuals who have broken the rules who have transgressed and who must answer to justice."

The European Parliament yesterday began its last plenary session of the year in Strasbourg a state of shock. The extent of the political interference perpetrated by the emirate of Qatar is unknown and all related dossiers are under suspicion; The chamber has decided to suspend the processing of all those that are open, especially the visa exemption proposal.

As a precaution, the socialist group decided yesterday to suspend several of its members -among them, the Belgian MEPs of Italian origin Marc Tarabella and Maria Arena- until the facts are clarified and has launched an internal investigation to contribute to the work of the Parliament on the scope that Qatar's political interference may have had in their work. "If it is proven that this country has tried to undermine our activity, we will demand that sanctions be imposed. Right now, my concern is to protect the image and credibility of the institution and of our political group," García explained at a press conference. Broadcast from Strasbourg.

Without hiding her disappointment at what happened, the Spanish socialist MEP has defended the "daily work" of her groupmates and her firm commitment to values ​​such as transparency, human rights and sexual freedoms. "Of course" she was upset by Kaili's last intervention in plenary session on Qatar, she has said. The Greek MEP spoke in that case "as vice-president" in charge of relations with the countries of this region, but she planned to speak with her in this plenary session to convey to her that these points of view did not fit with the principles and values ​​of the group. The meeting obviously has not come to pass.

Meanwhile, the Belgian police continue to analyze the evidence collected in the 20 searches carried out in Brussels since Friday and count the money seized. According to the newspaper Le Soir and the weekly Knack, the amount seized at Panzeri's home, the one found at Kaili's house and the one that was in possession of her father and her husband, in total amounts to more than one million and half euro. Both outlets have published a photograph of the money in question.

Kaili was expelled last Friday from her political party, Pasok, with which she had had tense relations for several months, shortly after the seriousness of the facts with which she was accused became known; The formation wants the Greek to renounce her seat but, according to the rules of the chamber, only she can decide on the matter. Her lawyer in Greece, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, declared this morning to the local press that her client pleads "not guilty" to the charges against her (criminal organization, corruption and money laundering) in Belgium. "She has nothing to do with the financing of Qatar, nothing, explicitly and unequivocally. That is her position," Dimitrakópoulos told the Greek Open television channel.