European Parliament calls on Ursula von der Leyen to take back Piper’s bribe – 2024-04-13 03:37:48

The European Parliament is taking a stand on Pipergate and is putting a lot of pressure on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the issue, with the European elections fast approaching.

According to a related report by Politico, more than half of MEPs have demanded that the president of the European Commission revoke the appointment of her handpicked European People’s Party MEP Marcus Pieper to the well-paid post of EU envoy for small and medium-sized enterprises.

See also: Ursula von der Leyen: Open conflict after the mutiny of 4 Commissioners over the bribery with Marcus Pieper

According to the results of the relevant vote in the plenary session of the European Parliament, 382 (against 144) MEPs voted in favor of an amendment calling on von der Leyen to repeat the selection process for Pieper’s position.

Pieper signed the contract on March 31, despite the two other shortlisted candidates for the position, both women, reportedly receiving higher test scores during the selection process. The issue had been brought up with an internal rebellion by four Commissioners of the institution chaired by Ursula von der Leyen.

The controversy surrounding her choice as envoy adds to a growing list of potential problems for von der Leyen as she seeks a second term as president of the European Commission.

It comes just days after revelations that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the use of text messages to negotiate large vaccine contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

See also: Commission: 4 top Commissioners accuse Ursula von der Leyen of… corruption