”It is not the rules, but only our integrity that can put a stop to corruption”

On Tuesday, 17 January 2023, MEP Irena Joveva addressed the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the corruption scandal that has recently rocked the European institutions to the core. In her speech, she said that it is not the rules that will be able to prevent corruption, but the integrity of her colleagues in the European Parliament.

Shock, dismay and shame are just three of the many words that could be used to describe the incomprehensible corruption scandal that has struck the European Parliament, the MEP said to open her speech.

She stressed that interference by third countries in the decision-making processes of the EU institutions is unacceptable and must certainly be stopped, but that this will not be enough.

”We need to tighten the rules in all areas, at all levels, in all institutions. But no matter how tough and clear the rules, in the end it all comes down to … Not money. Not for me. It all comes down to us as human beings,” Joveva was straightforward in her appraisal.

She added that politicians owe it to citizens, and ultimately to the dignity of the European Parliament, to practice what they preach.

“And if a third party resorts to bribery, it is not the rules that will prevent it. It is only our integrity, colleagues, that can successfully put a stop to it”, concluded the MEP.

You can watch MEP Joveva’s full speech in Slovenian here.