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The president of the European Parliament has warned that "European democracy is under attack", following allegations that Qatar bribed EU officials to win influence.

Belgian police have arrested four people, among them European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili.

The four have been charged with 'participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption', after Belgian investigators found large sums in cash in homes and a suitcase. Qatar has denied wrongdoing.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the accusations were "very serious" and called for the creation of a new ethics body to oversee the bloc.

Greek MEP Eva Kaili has denied involvement in an alleged bribery scandal involving World Cup host Qatar at the European Parliament.

MEPs have voted - by 625 to one - to strip Ms Kaili of her role as one of its 14 vice-presidents.

French MEP Manon Aubry from La France Insoumise and Suzanne Lynch, the Chief Brussels correspondent for the news website Politico, explain the details of the case and what should be done moving forwards:

"I think we should all sit down and see how we can really best improve our internal rules for all EU institutions, otherwise the whole EU democracy will be weakened," says Manon Aubry.

(Photo: A general view on the plenary hall at the start of the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 12 December 2022. Credit: Julien Warnand via EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

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