European Parliament Fined for Whistleblower Protection Failure

The European Parliament has been ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation for failing to safeguard a whistleblower who reported harassment and fraud by a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). This ruling, issued by the EU's General Court, highlights ongoing concerns about the institution's commitment to protecting those who expose wrongdoing.

This incident follows the Qatargate corruption scandal, which occurred approximately two years ago, further tarnishing the reputation of the Brussels-based institution. The scandal resulted in the arrest of MEPs and the seizure of €1.5 million in cash by Belgian authorities.

The court's decision underscores the European Parliament's inadequate whistleblower protection measures. Despite advocating for EU-wide whistleblower rules, the Parliament's own regulations lag behind those of other EU institutions. The whistleblower in question, a parliamentary assistant, was exposed after reporting an MEP for misconduct, leaving them vulnerable to retaliation.

Nick Aiossa of Transparency International EU criticized the Parliament's approach, stating, "It's a parliament that is not taking its responsibility to protect staff seriously." He noted that every assistant who has blown the whistle in the past seven years has been terminated, calling the situation "unacceptable."

The controversy extends beyond whistleblower protection. Reports suggest that Han ten Broeke, a former Dutch MP, is being considered for a position in the office of the Netherlands' EU commissioner. Ten Broeke resigned from his parliamentary role in 2018 following revelations of an "unequal relationship" with a party assistant 19 years his junior.

"Not in the sense of power or authority, but in view of the fact that I was a member of parliament and she was an employee in her mid-20s. If I look back on that now, I should never have allowed myself that. It was not OK, should not have happened and will never happen again."

The potential appointment of ten Broeke to a high-level EU position has raised concerns about the vetting process and ethical standards within EU institutions.

As the European Parliament faces scrutiny over its handling of whistleblowers and potential appointments, it must address these issues to restore public trust and ensure the integrity of its operations. The institution, established in 1952, plays a crucial role in EU governance, with 705 directly elected members representing all 27 EU countries. Its ability to effectively fulfill its legislative, supervisory, and budgetary responsibilities depends on maintaining high ethical standards and protecting those who expose wrongdoing.