The alleged attempts to influence MEPs unveiled loopholes in Parliament’s internal rules, alongside other issues, says&nbsp;Special Committee on Foreign Interference. Interference attempts are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible”, warn MEPs, expressing their “deep shock and condemnation of the allegations of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation” by three MEPs, one former MEP and one parliamentary assistant.

The committee has identified “numerous loopholes in Parliament’s integrity and transparency rules” and calls for President Metsola’s&nbsp;14-point proposal to&nbsp;reform Parliament’s rules to be put into concrete actions as soon as possible.

MEPs demand also that compliance with the six-month cooling-off period for former MEPs should be monitored by the new&nbsp;EU ethics body. Parliament should introduce a monitoring system and rules for revoking access for former MEPs who lobby on behalf of high-risk countries beyond the cooling-off period.

Parliament has also reacted to corruption&nbsp;allegations &nbsp;with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. In&nbsp;&nbsp;December 2022,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions.

Fight against corruption, corruption and money laundering

Instant payments in euro: closing statements by Mairead MCGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services and by Michiel HOOGEVEEN (ECR, NL), Rapporteur

Instant payments in euro: MEPs debate

Instant payments in euro: opening statements by Mairead MCGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services and by Michiel HOOGEVEEN (ECR, NL), Rapporteur

Press conference by Eero HEINÄLUOMA, (S&D, FL), Damien CARÊME, (Greens/EFA, FR), Paul TANG, (S&D, NL), and Ludek NIEDERMAYER (EPP, CZ) on the provisional deal on anti-money laundering package

Voting session, including a draft European Council decision establishing the composition of the European Parliament, and Ambient air quality Directive

Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure with a view to strengthening integrity, independence and accountability: MEPs debate

Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure with a view to strengthening integrity, independence and accountability: opening statement by Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), Rapporteur

Recommendations for reform of the EP’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: extracts from the debate (12/07) and the vote, statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), co-rapporteur

Voting session: recommendations for reform of the EP’s rules on transparency, The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean, State of the SME Union

Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: MEPs debate (part 2)

Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption: MEPs debate (part 1)

Recommendations for reform of the European Parliament’s rules on transparency: opening statements by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK), Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission

EP Plenary session - Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body

EP Plenary session - EU funding allocated to NGOs incriminated in the recent corruption revelations and the protection of EU financial interests

Press conference by Raphaël GLUCKSMANN (S&D, FR), ING2 Committee Chair, Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew, FR) co-rapporteurs on proposals how to improve Parliament’s transparency, integrity and accountability

Criminal asset recovery and confiscation: extracts from the vote and statement by Loránt VINCZE (EPP, RO), Rapporteur

Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework: closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework: MEPs debate

Update of the anti-corruption legislative framework: opening statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Voting session, including a vote on the Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body and on the EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness

Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body: closing statements by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body: MEPs debate (part 2)