The European Parliament needs a stronger security culture and clearer internal rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption

The Renew Europe Group welcomes the adoption today during plenary session of the report on recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption made by the Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, and the strengthening of integrity, transparency and accountability in the European Parliament (ING2).

While stressing that a very large majority of MEPs comply with current rules, in order to prevent another Qatargate, the report insists that Parliament's internal rules and procedures must be reviewed so that they don’t facilitate potential unlawful behaviour. In parallel, foreign interference in Parliament must be combated through a more dissuasive framework. To this end, the report among others calls for an appropriate clearance process for certain staffers as well as regular training for MEPS and staff.

The report furthermore calls for measures to safeguard Parliament’s integrity during official missions and delegations and suggests strengthening the Transparency Register to increase scrutiny of interest representatives lobbying the EP.

MEP, Nathalie Loiseau (Horizons, France), Renew Europe rapporteur on the report, says:

“Today, the European Parliament has expressed its strong resolve to combat malign foreign interference and fight corruption. Our recommendations are both ambitious and pragmatic, going far beyond President Metsola’s 14 points and the Commission’s proposal on an ethics body. We want both to reinforce our security and to increase our transparency. We also express our determination in favour of a strong European Independent Ethics Body, much stronger than the proposal of the Commission, to reinforce our accountability and the one of all EU officials towards our citizens. The Parliament remains the house of the European citizens, but it will not turn a blind eye on enemies of European democracy”.

Note to editors:

After the Qatargate scandal, the Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, and the strengthening of integrity, transparency and accountability in the European Parliament (ING2) was mandated to adopt recommendations to strengthen the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption. The term of office of ING2 will end in August 2023.