'Qatargate' exposes EU transparency failures

Significance

The high-profile figures arrested include European Parliament (EP) Vice-President Eva Kaili and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri. In nature and scale, ‘Qatargate’ is the largest ever corruption scandal to hit EU institutions.

Impacts

• If the EU's relations with Qatar, the world’s top liquefied natural gas producer, are damaged, its energy security could be at risk.
• Allegations about the roles of Morocco and Qatar will increase scrutiny of EU ties with countries other than Russia.
• The scandal will raise questions about EP power and accountability.