European Parliament pushes back against Belgian corruption probes
The European Parliament is resisting Belgian prosecutors investigating alleged corruption and foreign influence among EU lawmakers, in a dispute that could reshape how the bloc polices its own institutions, as reported by Euractiv.
Three years on from the 'Qatargate' scandal, which involved cash-filled suitcases and alleged payoffs from Qatar and Morocco, confidential documents obtained by Euractiv reveal mounting tension between the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) and Belgian federal prosecutor Ann Fransen.
Following the Qatargate scandal of 2022, Parliament President Roberta Metsola had pledged to cooperate fully with Belgian investigators. However, relations deteriorated this year when prosecutors sought to lift an MEP’s immunity for allegedly attending a Huawei-related event, only to discover that the lawmaker had not been present. Metsola denounced 'carelessness' and warned of reputational damage to the institution.
Since then, Parliament has delayed four further immunity requests tied to the Huawei probe. According to Euractiv, six months after they were submitted, no vote has been scheduled. Committee members have questioned the strength of the evidence, while prosecutors accuse MEPs of overstepping their role and undermining investigative secrecy.
Fransen informed Parliament that legislators are only entitled to verify whether a request is politically motivated and cannot demand access to case files. She warned that seeking detailed evidence could compromise ongoing investigations and alert suspects.
Belgian prosecutors argue that they must file immunity requests as soon as credible suspicions arise because, under EU law, they cannot question MEPs or gather key evidence until Parliament authorises it. However, lawmakers want stronger justification before removing protections, citing concerns over due process.
The dispute has stalled cooperation between the EU legislature and the Belgian judiciary. The Legal Affairs Committee usually processes such files within months, but this time progress has slowed to what one committee member described as 'unprecedented' levels.
Analysts say that this impasse highlights the EU’s accountability framework's structural weaknesses. While the Parliament enjoys extensive immunity, it lacks the mechanisms required to manage large-scale influence operations or internal ethics breaches.
Inside the chamber, frustration is mounting. While some MEPs privately concede that immunity votes have become tools of political bargaining, others accuse Belgian prosecutors of damaging reputations without sufficient proof.
In June, Metsola promised to streamline procedures with the Belgian police after an immunity request was withdrawn due to an error. “When required, the European Parliament fully cooperates with law enforcement and judicial authorities, and will continue to do so,” a Parliament spokesperson told Euractiv.
Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office declined to comment, citing ongoing proceedings.
© BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE