A majority of 401 MEPs passed the resolution. The text underlines the “determination of the European Parliament to fully investigate corruption cases” aimed at influencing the European legislative institution.
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution prohibiting Moroccan representatives from entering its headquarters until the end of investigations by the Belgian authorities into the case of bribes paid by the Moroccan regime to members of the European institution, a scandal known in the media as “Marocgate”. A majority of 401 MEPs passed the resolution. The text underlines the “determination of the European Parliament to fully investigate corruption cases” aimed at influencing the European legislative institution.
In the resolution, MEPs expressed their “deep concern over acts of corruption” by the Moroccan authorities. They also reaffirm that “they will show no tolerance for corruption in any form and insist that Parliament must show unequivocal unity and unwavering determination in this regard “. MEPs also called on Thursday for “more reforms based on the announcements of the Conference of Presidents, and the rapid creation of an independent EU ethics body”.
This body “will have to make a clear distinction between criminal acts, breaches of institutional rules and unethical behavior”, explains the text. It will play a key role in protecting whistleblowers within the EU institutions while working in a complementary way with other EU bodies such as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman, and the European Court of Auditors.
As a reminder, on January 19, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on Morocco to respect media freedom and release all political prisoners and imprisoned journalists for the first time in twenty-five years. A week after the approval of this text, in a letter addressed to the president of the European institution, the Maltese Roberta Metsola, around thirty MEPs called for sanctions against Morocco. They had justified their request by “the interference of Morocco” in the democratic process in the European Parliament, through corruption.
The “Marocgate” scandal erupted after the arrest of former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri in Belgium, as part of an investigation that shook the institution. He is accused of political involvement with other European representatives in favor of foreign powers, led by Morocco, in exchange for sums of money.
