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![]() Thursday, January 14, 1999 Published at 10:17 GMT ![]() ![]() World: Europe ![]() MEPs reject censure motion ![]() MEPs voted for an investigation into the commission's affairs ![]() Members of the European Parliament have voted not to censure two members of the European Commission accused of corruption and mismanagement, but have called for an investigation into allegations of fraud.
Commissioners could once again face censure when the investigation is completed. Addressing the Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President Jacques Santer said he was more determined than ever to combat fraud in the commission, and asked for the confidence of MEPs as he carried out this task. Tense confrontation
Earlier in the week, Christian Democrat and Liberal MEPs were backing censure, either for the entire commission, or for commissioners Edith Cresson and Manuel Marin, over allegations of nepotism and mismanagment. In the past 24 hours, many of the Christian Democrats - who constitute the second biggest bloc of MEPs - decided instead to support proposals for an investigation into the commission's affairs rather than a censure motion. Socialists seek investigation Pauline Green, leader of the 214-member Socialist bloc - the biggest in the parliament - said on Wednesday evening there was as yet no proof of the allegations against the commissioners, and an investigation was needed. The Socialists have said their main concern now is for European Commission President Jacques Santer to push through the eight-point reform programme which he promised earlier this week. 'Probation' for commission
The BBC Brussels Correspondent, David Eades, says the compromise would amount to the commission being "put on probation". The two commissioners singled out by the allegations are Development Commissioner Manuel Marin, a Spaniard, and Research Commissioner Edith Cresson of France. Mr Marin handled humanitarian aid programmes in the early 1990s. Former French Prime Minister Cresson is under pressure over alleged irregularities in her department. The 20-member Commission, based in Brussels, serves as the executive body for the European Union, which includes 15 countries.
Mr Santer reportedly threatened on Wednesday to quit his job if Christian Democrats in the EU assembly stuck to their resolution. He has firmly defended Mrs Cresson and Mr Marin against fraud charges. Mr Santer's threats of resignation were interpreted as a way of discouraging MEPs from supporting the censure motion, since the departure of the president would have plunged the entire European Union into an even deeper crisis. The current crisis erupted last month when allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement in the commission led the parliament to refuse to approve the EU's 1996 accounts. ![]() |
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