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
Drones Trouble Belgium
Antwerp Petroleum Pier Raised 11m and Extended 135m
Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp’s Petroleum Pier will be raised 11 meters, extended 135 meters, and restored. Minister Jo Brouns approved the project, led by De Vlaamse Waterweg and Blue Gate Antwerp Public Holding NV.
As VRT News reported, the Petroleum Pier on Antwerp’s Petroleum-Zuid site is set to undergo a major renovation. Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) h
Security Council Removes Terrorism Sanctions from Syrian President
EU Reaches Last-Minute Climate Agreement with Increased Flexibility
Environment Minister Gilb
Das Scheitern der Russland-Politik – mit Georg Mascolo und Katja Gloger
Oudsbergen Team Saves Bocholt Crane During Bird Flu Outbreak
Oudsbergen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Staff at the Wildlife Aid Centre in Oudsbergen rescued a weak crane in Bocholt, likely infected with bird flu. Frederik Thoelen confirmed strict quarantine after outbreaks killed tens of thousands of cranes in Germany and France.
As VRT News reported, staff from the Wildlife Aid Centre in Oudsbergen, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, rescued a weak cr
Genocide Prevention Expert Raises Alarm Over Alleged Atrocities in Sudan
Mr. Beyani informed UN News in an interview that he communicated with Denise Brown, the resident coor
EU High-Speed Train Initiative: Travel from Munich to Rome in 6 Hours
Gunvor Withdraws Offer for Russia’s Lukoil After US Labels Firm as ‘Kremlin Puppet’
In Europe, Lukoil’s assets entail two refineries in Bulgari
Brussels Expo Opens 10,000 m² Terminal 1 at Heysel
Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels Expo reopened Palace 1 as Terminal 1, a 10,000 m² digital centre with gaming and tech attractions. CEO Denis Delforge expects 1 million visitors yearly within 3 years.
As VRT News reported, Palace 1 at the Heysel has been renamed Terminal 1 and officially reopened as a new digital entertainment centre at Brussels Expo. The hall, once used for majo
Leave a Reply