A solemn commemoration and tribute has been held the late President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli. The Italian Socialist MEP passed away when he was in office, on 11 January 2022, aged 65. His premature death spurred deep emotions among the whole European family and the international community. The Socialist group, in a statement…
MEPs have welcomed the release from jail of Somali refugee Mohammad Hanad Abdi. He was sentenced to 142 years in prison in 2021 for “people smuggling” but has now won his appeal in Greece. Abdi, a 29-year-old Somali political refugee, reportedly saved 31 people during a deadly crossing in a dinghy from Turkey to the…
Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash The Left group in the European parliament has criticised supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro for storming key government sites including the Congress. It has echoes of what happened in the U.S two years ago when far right demonstrators, backed by ex President Trump, stormed the U.S Congress. The disorder comes…
Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash President Roberta Metsola has launched an urgent procedure for the waiver of immunity of two Members of the European Parliament, following a request from the Belgian judicial authorities. The first procedural steps have been taken and the President will announce the request in plenary at the first possible opportunity on 16 January. The request…
Photo by Michal Matlon on Unsplash The European Parliament has just voted for a series of measures aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption, following the revelations in the ‘Qatargate’ scandal. The measures include: A cooling off period for MEPs to prevent revolving doors; to prohibit financial ties with lobbyists; stricter rules on ‘friendship groups’; improved whistleblower protection;…
Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash MEPs say they are “appalled” by the allegations of corruption in the European Parliament. Four people have been arrested in connection with the alleged corruption which, reportedly, involves an MEP and parliamentary aides. The international fallout from the investigation is starting to spiral and further allegations are emerging concerning the activities of…
Photo by fikry anshor on Unsplash The European Parliament has just voted for a series of measures aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption, following the revelations in the ‘Qatargate’ scandal. The measures include: A cooling off period for MEPs to prevent revolving doors; to prohibit financial ties with lobbyists; stricter rules on ‘friendship groups’; improved whistleblower protection; strengthen…
Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash The Left Group says it has secured some firm commitments and measures on corruption, transparency and accountability from the European Parliament for strong and concrete measures. The resolution followed recent revelations in the ongoing Qatargate scandal. Highlights include: Left Co-President Manon Aubry said, “Since 2019, I have been fighting tirelessly to denounce the “dangerous liaisons” between…
Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize was awarded to the Brave People of Ukraine, in a ceremony today, 14 December. They were represented by their President, elected leaders and civil society at the ceremony in Strasbourg. Russia’s unprovoked genocidal invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022 and is inflicting enormous costs on the Ukrainian people, who are…
A new study commissioned by The Left in the European Parliament claims to set out how subcontracting has become the business model for exploiting workers in the EU. Numerous scandals – from systemic exploitation during the World Cup in Qatar to human trafficking at Borealis chemicals operation in Belgium, reveal, it is claimed, how “complex webs of…
