Roberta Metsola excluded from obligatory declaration of conflict of interest

Updated with EP press services comment and Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba reaction 

The code of ethics created following the European Parliament’s Qatargate scandal does not apply to the institution’s president, Roberta Metsola. 

On Wednesday, Politico reported that despite Metsola’s push to boost the European Parliament’s transparency following the 2022 scandal which showed how easily influence can be bought, the president herself was not required to disclose her marriage to Ukko Metsola.

The code of ethics was drawn up by the European Parliament's Committee for Constitutional Affairs.

Ukko Metsola is a top lobbyist for Royal Caribbean Group’s vice-president for government relations for Europe and Asia-Pacific. The company is the second largest cruise company in the world. Ukko’s business is one of the most harmful forms of travel for the environment, with business practices that have put the climate and public health of coastal communities and marine ecosystems at risk.

READ ALSO: Europe’s newest power couple: the Metsolas

Politico reports that the Metsolas’ relationship was kept under the radar even while Ukko lobbied to influence climate-related legislation. Nonetheless, Ukko had been an EU registered lobbyist for Royal Caribbean since 2016, well before Metsola became president.

While the couple were not found to be actively covering up their relationship, the report notes that the lack of official disclosure is worrying and shelters them from public scrutiny.

A spokesperson for Metsola denied any conflict of interest, stating, “Being married to someone in employment does not constitute a potential conflict of interest according to the Parliament’s rules.” 

The spokesperson further stated that the code of ethics applies to MEPs with positions that are linked to a specific portfolio.

According to Politico, the Metsolas’ relationship was unknown to a number of MEPs and EU officials despite Ukko having been a registered lobbyist.

Ukko was quoted by Politico saying that the couple do not mix business with personal life, adding that since his wife’s appointment to EP president, Royal Caribbean engaged another person to lobby the parliament.

EP press services says Metsola has followed all rules rigorously

Meanwhile, the European Parliament's press services told MaltaToday that Metsola has "always followed all parliament’s rules on declarations, and conflict of interest rigorously, both in the spirit and the letter of the rules".

The EP press services said the employment of the President's spouse is "neither new nor has it been revealed today" and was made public in the EU's Transparency Register. It also noted that the changes to parliament's Code of Conduct were drafted by MEPs in Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs and approved by MEPs in the Plenary.

"The President has always used her office for the sole reason of representing the interests of the European Parliament. Parliament refutes, in the strongest possible terms, any conjectures alleging otherwise," the EP press services office said.

‘Metsola expects all MEPs to be transparent – except herself’ – Alex Agius Saliba

Reacting to the report, Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba said Metsola is seemingly not bothered about the ethical dilemma posed by her husband’s role, despite speaking several times about the sector.

“Quite naturally, one queries the rationale which led Metsola to exonerate herself from scrutiny. She could have certainly made a declaration about her husband’s role to put the matter to rest, irrespective of whether she was bound to do so or not. Preparing and submitting a declaration is neither an extraordinary feat nor time consuming,” he said.

The Labour MEP said the EP President expects everyone, especially her political adversaries, to observe stringent rules, while avoiding the practice whenever possible.

“Such blatant nepotism contrasts sharply with the campaigns of the Partit Nazzjonalista about this matter. Actions speak louder than words, and being all talk speaks volumes. We expect better from those who portray themselves as leaders,” he said.