What does the 'Qatargate' scandal mean for European democracy?

An EU-wide ethics body that is fully equipped to rise to challenges such as ‘Qatargate’ must be established, writes Alexander Conway

Greek politician and European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili was arrested in December on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. Picture: European Parliament via AP

In December, Belgian police launched raids on homes and apartments across Brussels, while security officers sealed off members of the European Parliament’s (MEPs) offices across the sprawling European Parliament complex. 

Initially, six suspects were arrested, including a now former vice-president of the European Parliament and member of the centre-left S&D Group, and more than €1.5m in cash hidden in nappy bags, prams, computers, and phones were seized from apartments and hotel rooms in the city.