Following his sacking, Luca Visentini stated that he “deeply regrets” the confederation’s decision.
The head of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Luca Visentini, was ousted from his position on Saturday by the Union over a corruption case within the European Parliament.
The union body said it had lost confidence in the leader, noting that the General Council decided to hold an extraordinary meeting to elect his successor “as soon as is practicable.”
In a statement, the confederation vowed to carry out amendments to its regulations regarding “the financing of campaigns for ITUC leadership elections, and on financial compliance.”
“The events of the past few months have caused significant damage to the ITUC’s reputation,” ITUC President Akiko Gono stated. “Important lessons have been learned and the General Council reiterated the ITUC’s absolute opposition to corruption in any form.”
In December 2022, Visentini was accused by Belgian authorities, among other senior EU officials and Brussels organizations, of receiving bribes from Qatar, which prompted his detainment following a probe launch.
Investigators claim that the bribery network was established to assist Qatar in influencing a favorable conclusion on a forthcoming visa liberalization deal with the EU and a previously inked aviation agreement.
Qatari diplomats have dismissed any participation in the cash-for-influence controversy and have criticized the specific attention on Qatar despite Morocco’s alleged involvement.
Visentini confessed to taking nearly €50,000 for his ITUC presidential campaign from NGO Fight Impunity headed by former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri. The sacked leader, however, denied any knowledge of “irregular” activities. Visentini and his predecessor Sharan Burrow made positive statements about Qatar’s labor reforms before the 2022 World Cup, which prompted suspicion.
On December 11, Visentini was released without being charged, however, he was restricted from traveling. His presidency of the ITUC was suspended on December 21.
Visentini stated that he “deeply regrets” the confederation’s decision. “I reiterate that I’m innocent of the accusations of corruption and money laundering that were leveled at me,” he told POLITICO.
“The donation I received was given to the ITUC to help trade unions in need, I believed that this money came from a reliable source, and it was used by the ITUC in an impartial manner and according to existing internal rules,” he added.
Four individuals have been charged and detained by Brussels so far over the allegations in an ongoing criminal probe, including Panzeri and Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, the head of the campaign group No Peace Without Justice.
Also In December 2022, the European Parliament voted in favor of terminating Eva Kaili – the EU body’s Vice President – but she will continue to be a parliament member, according to December 13 vote results, despite being charged with corruption.
Kaili denies taking a bribe from Qatar, in addition to denying guilt of corruption. She dealt with charges brought by Belgian authorities, turning an accusation into a scandal. She also denied hoarding $158,000 in cash in a child’s bed found when her residence was searched.
Source: Almayadeen
