Strasbourg, France: The president of the European Parliament will formally announce a number of reforms to clean up the international assembly in an effort to head off a corruption crisis that has rocked the body. However, a lot of MEPs and observers think Ms. Roberta Metsola’s requested modifications don’t go far enough to be able to reestablish the institution’s credibility.

Belgian prosecutors are looking into allegations of fraud in the European Parliament that benefited Morocco and Qatar. $1.6 million in cash were found during the police raids. Qatar has denied any role in the incident’s wrongdoing. Morocco claims that because of the accusations, it is the subject of unfair “media attacks.”

Ms. Eva Kaili, the Greek MEP who served as Ms. Metsola’s vice president until she was detained, has likewise claimed through her attorney that she had no knowledge of the cash discovered at her residence.

Ms. Kaili remains in custody with three other suspects, Ms. Kaili’s boyfriend Mr. Francesco Giorgi, who was a parliamentary aide, former MEP Pier Mr. Antonio Panzeri and Mr. Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, head of an NGO suspected of making payments to MEPs, as per the report.

In Belgium, all four are accused of “criminal organisation, corruption, and money laundering.” Italy and Greece have each started their own inquiries. Ms. Metsola has vowed to act swiftly to “strengthen integrity, independence and accountability” in the parliament. The President of the European Parliament has also noted that the graft scandal showed “European democracy is under attack.”

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