The magnifying glass of the bribery scandal in the European Parliament passes from Qatar to Morocco

All eyes are focused on Qatar in the case of corruption that affects some members of the European Parliament. But in the last few hours we have learned that Morocco is also implicated in the scandal. Rabat would have bribed European parliamentarians with two objectives: to avoid the interference of Europe in Western Sahara and to avoid problems with its migratory management.

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How does it work? Former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri allegedly received bribes from both Qatar and Morocco:

• Two relatives of Panzeri helped the former MEP to transport “gifts” that were delivered to Poland by the Rabat ambassador there. All in exchange for him influencing the political decisions made in the European Parliament.

• He would have held meetings, conversations and dinners with MEPs. All the bribe money was transferred in envelopes and bags.

• Because Panzieri’s ties with the North African country date back to 2009, while he was a member of the institution’s Human Rights subcommittee and the delegation responsible for relations with the Maghreb states.

• In addition, the Belgian authorities would have recordings of his family that point to the relationship with Morocco. In some recordings, they are asked not to spend 100,000 euros on the Christmas holidays as they had done the previous year.

What are they saying? As the investigations progress, more statements are coming out about the involvement of Rabat in the plot:

• Francesco Giorgi, parliamentary assistant and partner of former vice president Eva Kaili, declared today. According to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, he has said that Doha and Rabat used the plot to influence European issues.

• Something of what the Portuguese former MEP Ana Gomes has already reported on her networks, who has accused the also former MEP Gilles Pargneaux, who according to her used to introduce himself as “Advisor to His Majesty the King”, in reference to the Moroccan monarch.

• The documents that the Belgian Prosecutor’s Office has seized on the corruption plot, extend the list of suspects to 60 MEPs. So Kaili would only be the tip of the iceberg.

For note… Morocco has many interests in Brussels and in the decisions that are made there:

• A good example of this are the fishing agreements that were knocked down by the European Justice or also the request to be a preferential partner of the European Union in North Africa.

• There have been constant frustrated votes in the European Parliament on resolutions that affect Morocco. Especially with Germany, Sweden or Spain for the resolutions on Western Sahara and human rights.