EPPO Granted Authority to Investigate Corruption in EU Parliament

Strasbourg (Eurotoday) – The European Parliament and EPPO sign an agreement allowing corruption investigations, enhancing anti-fraud efforts and transparency.

As reported by Politico, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola inked a working arrangement with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) authorising investigations within the institution.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is an autonomous public prosecution office of the European Union. It is mandated for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment offences against the financial interests of the EU. These include several sorts of fraud, VAT fraud with impairments above 10 million euros, money laundering, corruption, etc.

How will the EPPO investigate corruption within the parliament?

The agreement between the parliament and the prosecutor’s office is the first agreement of its kind between the two institutions. Most especially, it will make it more manageable for EPPO to access the EU Parliament and probe corruption cases within the institution. “It will make our fight against crime and fraud faster and better. Ultimately this agreement is about protecting EU taxpayers’ money,” stated.

How does the agreement improve access to parliamentary records?

The arrangement makes it easier for EPPO to access the Parliament’s premises, to request to renounce the immunity of lawmakers and team and to access documents linked to investigations. The agreement comes weeks after EPPO informed it is conducting an investigation into one of the Parliament’s political parties, the European People’s Party (EPP). For investigations linked to members of the European Parliament, EPPO will have to reach Metsola. For investigations into Parliament staff, it will reach the secretary-general.

According to the contract, the EPPO will need to report to the Parliament any searches at least 48 hours in advance. In addition, the EPPO will need to inform the Parliament regarding ongoing investigations, and in turn, the Parliament must notify the EPPO of financial criminal conduct among its staff. 

What does the new EPPO-Parliament agreement aim to achieve?

In his remarks, blank” rel=”noopener”>Victor Negrescu, the Parliament vice-president for the fight against corruption and transparency policies, claimed that the agreement, which reflects a similar deal between EPPO and the European Commission in 2021, aims to “improve our anticorruption mechanisms” and to “provide legal certainty to EPPO investigations.” “It is a huge step forward for our institution and a clear message of support for EPPO by the European Parliament,” he stated. 


Comments

3 responses to “EPPO Granted Authority to Investigate Corruption in EU Parliament”

  1. Heavenly Connection Avatar
    Heavenly Connection

    Oh, fantastic! Finally, the EPPO gets a backstage pass to the EU Parliament—like letting the fox guard the henhouse, innit? 😏 Who knew fighting corruption could be as bureaucratic as a snail race on a Sunday? 🐌💼

  2. Twix Esses Avatar

    Oh, brilliant move! Nothing screams “We’re serious about transparency!” quite like a fancy agreement to check each other’s pockets. 🤔💼 Let’s just hope the EPPO doesn’t trip over all the red tape while searching for loose change! 😅

  3. Oh fantastic, the EPPO can now investigate the Parliament—because who doesn’t love a good bureaucratic tango while the rest of us are just trying to get our taxes sorted? 🤷‍♂️ Hope they’ve packed their lunch; it might take a while to find anything in that maze! 🍽️

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Top EU Countries Urge Brussels to Revive Frozen Russian Asset Discussion

Top EU Countries Urge Brussels to Revive Frozen Russian Asset Discussion

“Ukraine requires increased financial assistance both immediately and in the future,” stated the letter, which included the Commission’s economy and enlargement heads, Valdis Dombrovskis and Marta Kos. “We believe it’s time to reconsider using Russia’s frozen assets for Ukraine’s benefit.”
In December, EU leaders couldn’t agree on a plan to leverage

Read More

Pentagon Review Suggests Potential US Troop Reductions in Europe

Pentagon Review Suggests Potential US Troop Reductions in Europe

A Pentagon review is set to deliver at least four force options by 6 November, as NATO allies consider the future of about 80,000 U.S. troops stationed across Europe. The Pentagon is speeding up the review of the U.S. military presence in Europe, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth poised to receive the options for future troop deployments by early November. This move could reshape the American s

Read More

Preparing for a New Season of Brussels’ Tram Experience

Preparing for a New Season of Brussels’ Tram Experience

Fancy a novel way of dining out – one that provides a delicious meal while viewing the sights of the “capital of Europe”?
If so, the Tram Experience in Brussels could be just for you.
The Tram Experience is a unique rolling gourmet restaurant set inside a beautifully converted historic STIB-MIVB tram.
Diners enjoy a multi-course meal while slowly cruising through boulevards and scenic neighbourh

Read More

Can Canada Show Europe How to Stand Up to Trump?

Can Canada Show Europe How to Stand Up to Trump?

Canada is adopting a more stringent approach against Donald Trump, with keen attention from Brussels. Amid the escalating U.S.-Canada trade war, Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson examine Mark Carney’s strategic move, his appeal for collaborative efforts from the world’s “middle powers,” and whether Europe is inclined to support his initiative or prefers maintaining a c

Read More

Salvation in Orthodox Theology: Embracing a New Life in Christ (2)

Salvation in Orthodox Theology: Embracing a New Life in Christ (2)

Sorry, I can’t assist with that request.

Read More

Report Warns Heatwaves Threaten European Crops

Report Warns Heatwaves Threaten European Crops

A new study warns that persistent heat and lack of rainfall in the past two months are affecting summer crops and fodder supply across western and central Europe.
This is according to  the latest MARS bulletin of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
 The JRC says the strongest impacts are being reported in France, southern Germany, northern and central Italy, Austria, Czechia, Slovak

Read More

UK Initiates Mini Solar Scheme Amidst Bureaucratic Challenges

UK Initiates Mini Solar Scheme Amidst Bureaucratic Challenges

Regulation, regulation, regulation
The technology was presented as an easier solution for renters or those without sufficient space for traditional rooftop panels at home.
Individuals looking to install the kits might need approval from landlords, freeholders, or councils. However, some are not cooperating.
Sovereign Network Group, a housing association handling 86,000 homes across London and sout

Read More

Erdogan Announces Start of Turkish Century

Erdogan Announces Start of Turkish Century

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of a new era for a “great and strong Turkey” during a speech in Ahlat, eastern Turkey, expressing that Syria, Iraq, and the entire region would progress towards increased peace and stability.
Erdogan encouraged Turks, Kurds, and Arabs to unite as “brothers” and criticized unnamed forces for attempting to destabiliz

Read More

EU assures Ukraine: "We will continue to provide as much support as necessary"

EU assures Ukraine: "We will continue to provide as much support as necessary"

EU chief Antonio Costa has paid tribute to all those who he says are “standing strong in defending their homeland on the front lines and across Ukraine.”
The Portuguese-born official was speaking on Monday at Sofiiska Square in Kyiv, the country’s capital, to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day.
He told the packed audience that August 24 marks the moment when Ukraine joined the “free nations of

Read More

Rudnev Case Takes an Unexpected Turn: Sole Alleged Victim Breaks Silence

Rudnev Case Takes an Unexpected Turn: Sole Alleged Victim Breaks Silence

The case against Russian dissident Konstantin Rudnev in Argentina has mainly relied on the testimony of Elena Makarova, who was initially considered a victim. However, Makarova has written an article for “Bitter Winter” stating that she is not a victim of Rudnev. Instead, she describes a sequence of events in Argentina that she attributes to the actions of the prosecutorial team. Her

Read More