As the saying goes, ‘Those who scream the loudest have the most to hide.’ This sentiment is applicable in this case. While many may have forgotten the name of Eva Kaili and the largest corruption scandal in the history of the European Parliament, which shook the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the European People’s Party (EPP), another scandal has emerged. According to POLITICO’s Wednesday morning newsletter, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), in collaboration with Belgian authorities, has launched an investigation into the EPP’s misuse of EU funds.
‘We can confirm that we have an ongoing investigation into allegations of misuse of EU funds committed in Belgium by members of a political group in the European Parliament,’ a spokesperson for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) told POLITICO. He added that there are no suspects at this stage of the investigation. The EPP spokesman denied that they had been requested to provide any information by the prosecutor.
The Spanish newspaper La Gaceta speculates that the key figure in the scandal may be Ouarda Bensouag, the chief of staff to EPP president Manfred Weber, who is also considered a potential future EPP secretary-general. Bensouag allegedly received payments from the European Parliament as an official of the institution while simultaneously being compensated by the EPP in her role as a political functionary. Additionally, Bensouag’s husband, Michael Alexander Speiser, serves as a director at the EP’s Directorate for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. His appointment was described by a senior EP official as ‘close to nepotism.’
‘The Spanish newspaper La Gaceta speculates that the key figure in the scandal may be Ouarda Bensouag, the chief of staff to EPP president Manfred Weber’
The news of the investigation could not have come at a worse time for Manfred Weber and Ursula von der Leyen, both members of the EPP. The two German politicians have recently launched an unprecedented smear campaign against Hungary, with one of the primary themes being the alleged high levels of corruption within the Hungarian government. Additionally, Péter Magyar, also a member of the EPP, along with the Tisza party he leads (currently the largest opposition party in Hungary), is campaigning against the Hungarian ruling parties by highlighting issues of alleged corruption—an effort that is beginning to lose credibility after such cases.
The European Parliament’s Biggest Scandal
Of course, this is not the only corruption scandal that has rocked the EPP. In December 2022, the largest corruption case in the history of the European Parliament, known as Qatargate, emerged, implicating several Socialist and EPP MEPs—a case that remains unresolved since. After months of investigation and surveillance, Belgian police arrested Greek Socialist MEP Eva Kaili, who was then Vice-President of the European Parliament, along with her partner, Francesco Giorgi, and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri. More than €1.5 million in cash were discovered in the homes of Kaili and Panzeri. Additionally, authorities apprehended Kaili’s father as he attempted to flee from a hotel in Brussels with a suitcase filled with cash.
Kaili and her fellow MEPs, including left-wing MEPs Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, are accused of having accepted bribes from Qatari and Moroccan officials in exchange for voting in the European Parliament in favour of the interests of the Middle Eastern states. In several instances the implicated MEPs spent days abroad using funds from Qatar and Morocco. Furthermore, in addition to casting their own votes, MEPs attempted to influence European decision-making and launder money through non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Von der Leyen and the Pfizergate
Speaking of corruption, we must not overlook Ursula von der Leyen’s involvement in the scandal surrounding Pfizer vaccines. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Brussels signed a €35 billion contract with the pharmaceutical company for the immediate delivery of 900 million BioNTech/Pfizer vaccines, with an option to purchase an additional 900 million doses. As the pandemic subsides, much of this supply is now gathering dust in warehouses, and the EU is desperately attempting to negotiate concessions from Pfizer to halt further shipments, albeit with limited success.
Von der Leyen played an unusually prominent role for a Commission President in this deal, having exchanged several text messages with Pfizer’s CEO, as reported in an April 2021 article by The New York Times. In February 2023, the US newspaper sued the European Commission for refusing to disclose the content of these messages and correspondence. Europe’s highest court, the Court of Justice, is set to hear details from both sides regarding the text messages, including whether any of them were destroyed, next month on 15 November. Another hearing related to the Pfizergate will be conducted by Belgian authorities on 6 December.
It is evident that the European Parliament, with the EPP as the largest party family, and the European Commission are embroiled in numerous suspected corruption scandals, while the alleged high levels of corruption have been cited as one of the reasons for attempts to remove Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government. This highlights the frivolity of the accusations against Hungary and underscores the fact that Weber and von der Leyen seek to install a puppet government in Budapest—one that will comply unquestioningly with the directives of the left-wing political mainstream, whether concerning the war in Ukraine, the gender and LGBTQ lobby, or illegal migration.
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