“I have to choose my words carefully, so they don’t jeopardize ongoing investigations or undermine the presumption of innocence. So, if they don’t come across my fury, my rage and my pain please be sure they are very present“. Says the president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, opening the work of the plenary in Strasbourg, after the “longest days of my career”, those that saw the police operations in the context of the investigation into the alleged corruption by of Qatar.
“Don’t be fooled – he continues –
the European Parliament, dear colleagues, is under attack. Our democratic and open society is under attack
acco. Those for whom the very existence of Parliament is a threat will stop at nothing. These malevolent actors, linked to third countries, have allegedly weaponized NGOs, trade unions, individuals, aides and members of Parliament, in an effort to subdue our “democratic” processes.
“Their evil plans have failed: our services, of which I am incredibly proud, have worked with the judicial authorities to break up this alleged criminal conspiracy,” she adds.
‘Visa report goes back to committee’
After recalling that he had convened an extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Presidents to end Eva Kaili’s vice-presidency, Metsola announced that “in an effort to protect the integrity of this House” the report on the opening of the negotiating mandate for the liberalization of visas for Qatar “must be sent back to the committee. We are not at the end of this story and we will continue to help in the investigation, together with other EU institutions, for as long as necessary”.
Metsola also invites colleagues to “resist the temptation to exploit this moment to make political gains. We will not sweep the dust under the carpet: we will launch an internal investigation, to look at all the facts” that have occurred. “We will launch a reform process for access to our premises”, on “how these NGOs obtain funds, on what ties they have with third countries”.
Because, the Maltese policy continues, “there will always be those who think that a bag of money is worth the risk, but what is essential is that these people understand that they will have to face the full force of the law, that they will be caught and that our services work Those who think that Europe is for sale will find this Parliament firmly on their way”, he concludes.
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