Editorial: EU-level impunity lives on

The Qatar bribery scandal that has rocked the European Parliament shows how widespread and devastating the culture of impunity can be.

This latest scandal should be of grave concern to the European Union. Also because it is no isolated incident, as Transparency International noted. Its director, Michiel van Hulten, pointed his finger at the European Parliament. “Over many decades,” he said, “the Parliament has allowed a culture of impunity to develop, with a combination of lax financial rules and controls and a complete lack of independent (or, indeed, any) ethics oversight.”

This time, at least, the European Parliament acted promptly and decisively after one of its vice presidents, Eva Kaili, was arrested and now faces corruption charges over “bags of cash” reportedly found in her Brussels accommodation. She insists she is innocent.

Describing the scandal as an attack on democracy, European Parliament president Roberta Metsola took resolute action, first suspending Kaili from her role and then pushing a motion to remove her from office. The MEPs sent a clear signal when they voted 625 to one to strip Kaili of her office.

Swift action was also taken in Kaili’s home country, Greece.