What's happened
Belgian authorities have requested the European Parliament to lift the immunity of five MEPs, including Italians Fulvio Martusciello and Salvatore De Meo, amid allegations of accepting gifts from Huawei. The investigation follows police raids linked to corruption and lobbying practices. All involved deny wrongdoing.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Ethics in Question: The scandal highlights the thin line between lobbying and corruption in the EU, raising questions about the adequacy of current ethics rules governing MEPs.
- Political Implications: The investigation could strain EU-China relations, particularly as it involves a major Chinese corporation, Huawei, which has been under scrutiny for its lobbying practices.
- Future of MEPs: The outcome of the immunity requests will determine the extent to which these lawmakers can be held accountable, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving political corruption.
- Public Trust: This incident may further erode public trust in EU institutions, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations on lobbying and transparency in political donations.
What the papers say
According to Politico, the Belgian authorities are investigating MEPs for allegedly accepting gifts from Huawei, with Parliament President Roberta Metsola confirming the names involved. The South China Morning Post elaborates on the nature of the gifts and the ongoing investigation, noting that Huawei has denied any wrongdoing. The situation has prompted calls for reform in the EU's ethics rules, as highlighted by Transparency International EU's Nick Aïossa, who criticized the permissive nature of current regulations. The urgency of the matter is underscored by the potential impact on EU-China relations, as noted in multiple reports.
How we got here
The investigation into the MEPs stems from a broader probe into corruption within the European Parliament, which began in March 2025. Allegations include accepting gifts from Huawei in exchange for lobbying efforts. The scandal has raised concerns about the ethics of lobbying in the EU.
Go deeper
- What are the implications for EU-China relations?
- How does this affect the reputation of the European Parliament?
- What reforms might be proposed following this scandal?
More on these topics
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Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. is a Chinese multinational technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It designs, develops, and sells telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics.
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Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Western Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest.
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Roberta Metsola (Maltese: [rɔˈbɛrtɐ ˈmɛt͡sɔlɐ]; née Tedesco Triccas; born 18 January 1979) is a Maltese politician who has served as the president of the European Parliament since January 2022. She is a member of Malta's Nationalist Party (PN) a
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Fulvio Martusciello (born 25 May 1968 in Naples) is an Italian politician, and a member of the European Parliament since 2014.