A significant corruption scandal has emerged involving Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, and its alleged influence within the European Parliament. Since 2021, Huawei lobbyists are suspected of bribing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and staff with money and gifts. These actions aimed to sway political decisions in favor of Huawei's interests. The Brussels public prosecutor's office has been leading a wide-ranging investigation that includes raids and arrests in Belgium and Portugal.
The scandal is linked to the previous Qatar Gate affair, which involved similar allegations of bribery to promote foreign interests in the EU. The ongoing investigation has focused on forgery, money laundering, and organized crime, with Belgian authorities conducting 21 house searches. Transparency International has criticized the European Parliament for its ethical lapses and called for reforms.
While no current MEPs have been named as suspects, the investigation could potentially affect them, with some possibly facing the lifting of their diplomatic immunity. Huawei, already under sanctions from Western countries due to espionage concerns, has not commented on these allegations.
The European Parliament has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, which could further damage its reputation following the Qatar Gate case. The EU Commission has been cautious about Huawei, labeling the company as a security risk due to its alleged connections to the Chinese government. This scandal highlights ongoing concerns about foreign influence within EU institutions and the need for stringent ethical guidelines.
