“Europe is under attack” – Corriere.it

Three sentiments dominate among the deputies and assistants who have met for the first time in Strasbourg since the outbreak of the scandal which brought “corruption into the house of European democracy”. First of all shock, then fear that it is only the beginning and that the investigation could reveal much more, finally anger at the shame that invests the institution and that undermines its credibility while everywhere in Europe there is a latent Euroscepticism. “The European Parliament, dear colleagues, is under attack; European democracy is under attack; and our way of being open, free and democratic societies is under attack”, begins the president of the EU Parliament Roberta Metsola in the Chamber. She recounts the “longest days” of her career and warns: “The enemies of democracy, for who the very existence of this Parliament is a threat, will stop at nothing. These malicious actors, linked to autocratic third countries, have allegedly armed NGOs, unions, individuals, aides and deputies in an attempt to stifle our trials. However, she is challenged when she speaks of a scandal “neither right nor left”.

No ambiguity can be left. Today the Greek vice president Eva Kaili will probably be removed (there are some technical steps to be respected) and the text of the negotiating mandate for visas with Qatar and Kuwait, expected for this session, will be sent back to the committee. The Greens and the Socialists had asked for it, who are in the midst of the storm, because Kaili and the assistant Francesco Giorgi (his partner) belong to the S&D group, both arrested but also the other assistants who have seen their offices sealed, all with a past of assistants of Antonio Panzeri when he was a MEP. In the group meeting it is French Raphael Glucksman to ask a commission of inquiry for the immediate suspension of those involved: that’s what they do Andrew Cozzolino from his post as chairman of the delegation for the Maghreb, Peter Bartolo shadow rapporteur on the text e Maria Arena by the presidency of the Rights Subcommittee.

The other groups also met as usual on the first day of the plenary and the scandal was addressed and commented on. Each in its own “headquarters”. The Ppe in the room above the “flower bar”. The group leader Manfred Weber he asked his followers not to politicize the story in the comments and to defend the institutions. David McAllister he called for caution in joining friendship groups, such as the Qatar-EU Parliamentary Friendship Group. The deputies of Renew Europe instead they met on the ground floor of the Winston Church building, connected by a walkway to the Louise-Weiss building, where the plenary is held and where the offices of the Ppe and S&D are located. For the liberals, “transparency and reforms” are needed. Sandro Gozi, elected from the French ranks, does not hide his astonishment at the affair and the need for clarity to be clarified: “The damage to the credibility of the EU Parliament is enormous and very serious”. But for the French Valerie Hayer “these suspicions of corruption must not lead to an ‘everything is rotten'”. And for Swedish Abir Al-Sahlani “this is not acceptable. Our policy is based on mutual trust. Corruption has no place in this union, where we are not only supposed to represent the people but also embody the values ​​on which the union is built.”

For Finnish Heidi Hautala (Greens), one of the 14 vice presidents of the EU Parliament, her colleague Kaili “should resign immediately, or Parliament must vote for her removal”. “I am deeply disappointed – she explains -. It is not surprising to you that authoritarian states seek to influence the decision-making process of Parliament. We should now set up a commission of inquiry and propose reforms to protect the institution from undue influence. It is important that the rules include enforcement and sanctions.” And for Ignatius Corrao of the Greens “now we understand the matrix of certain positions that seemed political but apparently weren’t”. The leader of the Left Manon Aubry he reiterated it in the courtroom: “Our democracy is not for sale”. It is among the assistants that the greatest discomfort is perceived. Italians speak but do not want to be quoted. There is dismay and sorrow. Mathilde Voisin, 27, is angry: «I work ten hours a day and my gratification is in what my deputy is able to convey. Citizens need political models to believe in.” Lise Shwimmer she is also «disappointed»: «The scandal outside worries me. We need a strong reaction ».