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”
-
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? 🐌💼
-
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! 😅
-
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! 🍽️
Last News
Bangkok Pub Fire Claims at Least 27 Lives; Thailand Begins Investigation
Bangkok, July 12, Eurotoday Newspaper – Bangkok pub fire has left at least 27 people dead after flames swept through a crowded nightlife venue in Thailand’s capital, according to local officials. Dozens of people were also injured as firefighters battled the blaze and rescue teams searched the building. Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine what caused one of the country’
EU Confronts Trade Settlement Decision on Gaza
EU foreign ministers are set to meet in Brussels on Monday under growing pressure to decide if the bloc’s long-standing opposition to Israeli settlements should be accompanied by concrete trade actions. The debate, expected on July 13, highlights the humanitarian and legal cha
Why Europe Still Can’t Agree on Israel
DOJ Reviews Allegations Against UAW President Shawn Fain
Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment
Bulgaria’s Deficit Highlights Euro Discipline
Bulgaria has been subjected to the EU’s excessive deficit procedure, increasing the scrutiny of its public finances during its first year using the euro. The Council of the EU requires Sofia to submit corrective measures by 15
Backlash Erupts Over Ex-Spanish PM’s Racist Remark About French World Cup Team
The Impact of Positive Media Coverage on Enhancing Your Online Reputation
Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment
Brussels Transforms Meta Design Into a DSA Case
The Commission’s preliminary finding against Facebook and Instagram intensifies Europe’s effort to regulate platform architecture, not just online content
The European Commission has advanced one of its most politically sensitive Digital Services Act investigations, initially finding that Meta violated EU regulations through the addictive design of Instagram and Facebook. While not a final decis
Ukrainian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Significant Government Reshuffle
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Svyrydenko’s steady and effective work as prime minister and her productive service, without detailing her new position.
The Ukrainian parliament mu
Establishing a New Standard in Luxury Travel
The move is said to mark a milestone in Emirates’ continued investment into elevating customer experience on-ground.
The new design aesthetic has been revealed in the Emirates Lounge in Munich, as well as Frankfurt, with signature lounges in
Leave a Reply