European Parliament Committee Rejects Ethics Body Plan Amid Right-Wing Opposition

A proposed EU ethics oversight body was rejected by the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) on Wednesday, signaling a major setback for reforms aimed at restoring public trust after years of corruption scandals. The draft plan, opposed by the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right factions, exposed deepening political divides over accountability measures.

The initiative stemmed from an interinstitutional agreement signed in spring 2024 by eight EU bodies, including the European Commission, Council, and Parliament, to establish an “Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards” following the 2022 “Qatargate” scandal, which implicated lawmakers in bribery allegations involving Qatari and Moroccan officials. The proposed body would have included institutional representatives and five independent experts tasked with setting ethical conduct rules and compliance mechanisms.

The AFCO committee’s rejection came after a 17-13 vote, with the EPP aligning with right-wing groups such as Patriots for Europe and Europe of Sovereign Nations. Progressive factions—including Socialists, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA, and The Left—supported the proposal, arguing it was essential to address systemic accountability gaps. The outcome reflects a recurring alliance dubbed the “Venezuela majority,” a bloc criticized for blocking reforms since the Parliament’s new legislative term began.

Critics accused the EPP of “backtracking” on commitments, noting that Parliament President Roberta Metsola (EPP), a co-signer of the 2024 agreement, faces pressure to mediate the crisis. EPP spokesperson Loránt Vincze defended the rejection, calling the ethics body an “extrajudicial” mechanism that would “publicly stigmatize politicians” and violate the presumption of innocence. Progressive lawmakers, however, argued the move undermines efforts to restore credibility, with Socialist MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar condemning it as “an unacceptable betrayal of public trust.”

Despite the vote, parliamentary sources insist the Parliament remains bound by the 2024 interinstitutional agreement. The Greens/EFA group plans to seek legal advice and explore alternative paths to implement the framework without revising internal rules. Reform advocates have called for urgent discussions with Metsola, emphasizing that the stakes extend beyond procedural debates.

The failed vote underscores broader tensions within the Parliament, where the EPP’s dominance complicates cross-party consensus on transparency reforms. With the European Green Deal and other priorities competing for legislative attention, the ethics body’s future remains uncertain, leaving unresolved questions about the EU’s ability to address systemic accountability gaps.