European Parliament president Roberta Metsola on Thursday unveiled a 14-point plan to improve transparency in the institution after a graft scandal linked to Qatar. She revealed her wide-ranging reform package during a meeting with the leaders of the nine political groups in the parliament, also known as the Conference of Presidents. “We will strengthen integrity, independence and accountability in the European Parliament. Our aim is to move ahead fast. These immediate reforms are the first steps towards rebuilding trust in European decision-making, and the launch of a wider reform of the European Parliament,” Metsola said following the meeting. The EP was rocked just before Christmas when Belgian authorities detained and accused four people, including European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili, of "criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering". Both Kaili, a former TV newsreader in Greece, and Qatari officials deny any wrongdoing. Kaili has been stripped of her post. A series of searches at the homes and offices of politicians, lobbyists and parliamentary assistants turned up around €1.5 million in cash. A Belgian judicial source said €600,000 were found at the...
