Huaweigate
Remember Qatargate? That scandal two years ago, when the Gulf state bought members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to influence votes in Qatar's favour? Well, the European Parliament once again finds itself amidst a corruption scandal. It now appears to be the Chinese tech firm Huawei. On 13 March, Belgian police conducted early morning raids in its EU office and the homes of its lobbyists.
As first reported by investigative outlet Follow the Money, Belgian authorities suspect Huawei of bribing around 15 MEPs with football tickets, cash and lavish gifts, but also forgery, money laundering and criminal organisation. Huawei has struggled to maintain access to European markets after being banned in the US over security concerns. Its lobbyists 'subtly' warned European lawmakers against excluding its products.
The bribery scandal is another blow to the Parliament's image and raises renewed doubts about its susceptibility to external influence and weak internal safeguards. While Qatargate spurred EU leaders to tighten anti-corruption rules, right-wing lawmakers, including allies of the Parliament president Roberta Metsola, have so far blocked the implementation of a common ethics body to hold MEPs accountable.
It remains to be seen whether Huaweigate will generate enough pressure on MEPs to implement the body this time. Even if implemented, its effectiveness remains uncertain, as staff of political groups in the Parliament would not be under any legal obligation to disclose meetings with lobbyists. Their participation would remain wholly voluntary and, in effect, still leave them vulnerable to corruption risks.