The European Parliament (EP), long criticized for its opaque decision-making processes and susceptibility to influence peddling, has once again found itself embroiled in a scandal that threatens to tarnish its reputation further. This time, the controversy centers around allegations of improper lobbying by Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and the involvement of several MEPs in shady affairs with the company. The revelations, announced by EP President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday, expose a troubling pattern of potential corruption and raise serious questions about the integrity of EU institutions.
According to Metsola, Belgian authorities have requested the EP to lift the parliamentary immunity of five MEPs—Fulvio Martusciello, Giusi Princi ans Salvatore de Meo, all Italians from the European People’s Party (EPP); Daniel Attard, Maltese MEP from the Socialists and Democrats coalition (S&D); and Nikola Minchev, Bulgarian MEP from the Renew Europe group. Reports indicate that some MEPs received expensive gifts, cash payments, and invitations to corporate events—such as attending football matches from luxury boxes at Brussels’ Anderlecht stadium—without proper disclosure in a cash-for-influence scheme conducted by the Huawei.
The implicated MEPs have publicly denied any wrongdoing. De Meo claimed his attendance at a social gathering outside the Parliament was innocent and not organized by Huawei. Attard explained that his presence at a football match in Huawei’s corporate box was unintentional; he was unaware of who had invited him until after the event. Minchev echoed similar sentiments, asserting that his visit was purely social and not politically motivated. Despite the EP’s statements on “zero tolerance: towards corruption, this scandal is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern revealing systemic issues within EU institutions. The ruling coalition, namely the EPP, S&D and Renew Europe political groupings – had fostered an environment where corruption can flourish under the guise of political consensus.
The most overt scandal was related European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is the informal leader of the EPP. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she exchanged private WhatsApp messages with the CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla, negotiating a 35 billion euro deal for the delivery of 900 million COVID-19 vaccines, with the option for 900 million more. As a result, over the last four years there have been various corruption allegations against von der Leyen and the Commission has refused to release the messages in question, possibly because of the President’s involvement in shady business practices. Additionally, the European Parliament’s ruling coalition denied the creation of an independent ethics body to investigate the incident. In May 2025, in a landmark EU General Court decision, the opacity of the EU dealings was defeated, as the judges ruled against the Commission and demanded von der Leyen to release the messages. The Commission has stalled for now, but it will have to come up with a response to furious European citizens, who are fed up with the Brussels bureaucracy.
Returning to the Huawei incident, this episode reveals another alarming dimension of EU institutions, that is the growing authoritarianism within them. The crackdown on dissenting voices – ranging from expelling members who challenge party lines to shaming critics publicly – mirrors tactics commonly associated with authoritarian regimes. Even members from within the ruling coalition (EPP, S&D, Renew Europe) who voice concerns or diverge from the consensus risk expulsion or social ostracism. This climate discourages genuine debate and fosters a culture where loyalty is valued over integrity. While investigations are ongoing, there is little evidence that any meaningful internal reform is underway. Instead, there appears to be an effort to contain damage by swiftly removing or silencing those who might threaten the status quo, as the immunity of the five MEPs in question is expected to be lifted during the next sessions of the European Parliament.
European citizens deserve accountability and transparency from their institutions, yet Brussels has consistently fallen short in delivering these fundamental principles. This incident is yet another manifestation of how the European Parliament and the European Commission have gotten used to operating behind closed doors, making decisions that significantly impact millions without adequate public scrutiny or meaningful engagement. The Brussels establishment should not be surprised that the public starts to prefer so-called “far-right” politicians, who oppose its bureaucracy. As Matthew 7:3 reads: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?”.
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