Qatargate: European Parliament lifts immunity for Alessandra Moretti, keeps it for Elisabetta Gualmini

Brussels – The Belgian judiciary may now proceed against Alessandra Moretti. The European Parliament chamber today confirmed the decision of the Committee on Legal Affairs, which, on 3 December, voted to lift the immunity of the PD MEP, at the centre of the Qatargate investigation, the probe into alleged vote-buying in the European Parliament that broke out in December 2022. 

The waiver of parliamentary immunity for Moretti was approved by a large majority with 497 votes in favour and 139 against (15 abstained). The procedure to waive immunity, of course, does not affect the presumption of innocence in any way. 

It went differently for Elisabetta Gualmini, against whom the Legal Affairs Committee instead decided to shield. For her, the House rejected the proposal to waive immunity by 382 votes and 254 against (19 abstained).

The names of the two MEPs had already circulated in the first phase of the probe by investigating judge Michael Claise (later taken over by Aurélie Dejaiffe). Moretti’s position was deemed weaker, given her proximity to Antonio Panzeri, the architect of the system, and her February 2020 visit to Qatar, including a tour of a stadium construction site for the future World Cup.

Nicola Zingaretti, head of the PD delegation in the European Parliament, nevertheless expressed certainty about Moretti’s innocence. “I am sure that Alessandra Moretti will demonstrate her integrity and transparency with respect to the contested facts,” said the former party secretary. “After the clarifications provided, all the conditions were already in place to better safeguard the prerogatives of the Members of Parliament, but now, in the phase that is opening, there will be the opportunity to verify her non‑involvement. In the meantime, her commitment will continue in parliamentary work.”