Corruption investigations in Brussels are creating ripples that reach Italy, where a high-profile case has prompted the suspension of a Democratic Party member. Andrea Cozzolino, a long-time deputy in the European Parliament, was suspended this Friday after Italian media linked him to the broader Qatargate scandal. In the hours since the report emerged, Cozzolino has reaffirmed his innocence while his parliamentary colleague Francesco Giorgi stands accused as a key intermediary in alleged bribe-for-favors involving Morocco at the European level.
The decision, communicated by the party itself through a formal note, is a precautionary measure that has immediate effect and will remain in force until forensic investigations conclude. The aim, PD officials say, is to safeguard the party’s image while ensuring Cozzolino can defend himself in full transparency.
Sources within the PD told El Periódico of the Prensa Ibérica group that the suspension could become definitive if the judiciary establishes Cozzolino’s involvement in what authorities describe as a hidden network of European politicians accused of taking bribes from Morocco and Qatar. The party has stated it will rigorously respect judicial outcomes, and if guilt is proven, the suspension would be permanent. These disclosures align with the party charter cited by insiders.
Italian network
The affair has cast a shadow over the Progressive Party, led by Enrico Letta, with revelations linking several defendants to PD-associated circles. One notable figure is Antonio Panzeri, a former PD member who is expected to play a pivotal role in what authorities describe as the Qatar-Morocco corruption network. Belgian justice is coordinating with other European prosecutors to investigate the matter. Panzeri had already been suspended by the left-wing party Articolo 1, to which he belonged in recent years.
Public scrutiny intensified as more PD lawmakers faced questions about oversight and ethical standards. The controversy prompted a broad call for reforms aimed at preventing similar episodes in the future. Critics argued that the scandal, if confirmed, would damage public trust in the political system, while supporters urged a careful, law-based response that preserves due process for all involved. One of the party’s most visible leaders, Elly Schlein, condemned the scale and impact of the alleged misconduct, insisting that neither justice nor political institutions should be allowed to drift without accountability. She emphasized the need for robust checks to ensure such situations do not reoccur, underscoring that decisive action must come from both judicial and political realms to restore confidence in the process.