The European Parliament has announced on Saturday the suspension of Greek Socialist Eva Kaili from all her powers and competences as vice-president of the European Parliament, but not from the post itself, in connection with an alleged bribery scheme by Qatar to people who could influence the institution’s decision making.
Given the «ongoing investigations being carried out by the Belgian authorities», the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola «has decided to suspend with immediate effect all powers, tasks and competences delegated to Eva Kaili as vice-president» of the chamber, the spokesperson of the European Parliament has informed.
This decision, in practical terms, means the withdrawal of all acting capacities of Kaili, but not of the title of the Vice-Presidency itself, since it is up to the plenary of the European Parliament to remove her from office.
Kaili’s powers, which have already been revoked, included, for example, her role as chair of the ICT Innovation Strategy Working Group or deputy chair for multilateral bodies (outside the security field), in particular the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Metsola had already confirmed this Saturday that the European Parliament has «fully cooperated» with the relevant law enforcement and legal authorities in relation to a possible case of bribery by Qatar to Kaili.
«Our European Parliament stands firm against corruption. At this stage, we cannot comment on any ongoing investigation, except to confirm that we have fully cooperated with all relevant law enforcement and legal authorities and will do so,» Metsola said.
In a publication on her official profile on the social network Twitter, the president of the European Parliament has remarked that the body will do «everything possible» to help and collaborate for justice to take its course.
Belgian police on Friday searched the home of Kaili, who was also questioned, in connection with a plot of alleged bribes by Qatar to people who could influence decision-making in the European Parliament.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office also reported the arrest of four people and up to 16 searches carried out in several neighborhoods of Brussels as part of an investigation into an «alleged criminal organization of corruption and money laundering» that for months sought on behalf of a Gulf country to influence the «economic and political» decisions of the European Parliament.
