The Qatargate scandal continues to produce shocks, both in Brussels and in Rome.
The spokesman of the European People's Party (EPP) has denied that there is a pact between his party and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) to deal with the consequences of Qatargate
on the political balance in the European Parliament and, more generally, at European level.
"There is no non-aggression pact between the S&D and the EPP", said the spokesman, adding that "almost a week after the start of the scandal
, the socialists have not recognized the real problem: a corrupt network of politicians and assistants inside of their own political family covered up by dubious NGOs
. The time has come for them to face the facts of the Qatar corruption scandal."
For her part, the EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli (of the Labor Party of Malta), in an interview with Corriere della Sera declared that
"the EU has zero tolerance for corruption, as we have demonstrated in the past and as we will also in this case"
, underlining that the president of the Commission von der Leyen "has already expressed her opinion on the matter".
"We welcome the transparency and collaboration of the EU Parliament with the Belgian authorities in charge of applying the law - she added - we await the final decisions of
the judicial system and will adjust our foreign relations accordingly".
In Rome, meanwhile, a note informed that
"Secretary Enrico Letta has asked the National Guarantee Commission of the Democratic Party to meet as a matter of urgency" to "take the most appropriate decisions, to guarantee the honourability of the community of Democrats and Democrats
and to protect the exponents themselves called into question, so that they are more free to explain their reasons e
provide the clarifications that will be requested by the investigating authorities.
The Democratic Party confirms that it is the injured party in this affair and will act accordingly in all judicial offices". For his part Stefano Bonaccini -candidate to succeed Letta- said that "we need to say that honesty and sobriety, the respect for the rules, in the light of what is shamefully happening in Brussels, return to the
center of political action".
Brando Benifei, head of the Pd delegation in the social democratic group (S&D) pointed out that his party "has always voted against the
violation of human rights in those countries, nor have I ever received undue pressure to do the opposite"
.
"It is no coincidence that not even a single question was asked about me during the guarantee interrogations. A sign that I had nothing to do with it", he explained in an interview with Repubblica, adding that "the mere idea that some MPs, in office or ex, got rich on the skin of human rights makes me puke".
As for the Italian politicians involved in the scandal, Benifei said that
"I have never been to Antonio Panzeri's house, nor have I ever frequented him".
"We only discussed institutional issues while he remained in office: I remember, for example, the differences over Morocco, which he defended, while I, as a member of the intergroup in favor of the Saharawi people, was often critical. And after his exit from the European Parliament, it happened to have some political exchanges with him on the Democratic Party and Article 1".
As for Francesco Giorgi - the companion of Greek MEP Eva Kaili, arrested in the context of the Qatargate investigation - Benifei says he has never worked with him.
"I didn't even like him. I've always found him arrogant. And way too casual," he explained.
