Commissioner Cañete was questioned today by MEPs from the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee following allegations over his financial interests.
S&D spokesperson for legal affairs, Evelyn Regner MEP, said:
“After the meeting with Commissioner Cañete the majority of the legal affairs committee is going to present recommendations to the president of the European Parliament. We note the fact that Commissioner Cañete has denied the allegations against him and has insisted he has acted in both a legal and moral way. However, large questions remain about his conduct and his suitability as a representative of the Commission. It is essential that the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigates the matter fully. Mr Cañete neatly side-stepped my question on what investigations are taking place and whether he would co-operate fully with OLAF’s work. We have called on him to waive judicial secrecy so OLAF can come and speak to our committee about their findings.
"The legal affairs committee should take an official position on Cañete's actions. We need to show to the European public that commissioners can be held to account for their actions and be transparent about their financial interests. This is not just about whether Commissioner Cañete acted in a legal way but whether he has acted with the moral and personal character needed in such a high-profile public role."
Iratxe García Pérez MEP, head of the Spanish delegation in the S&D Group, added:
"This morning Commissioner Cañete constantly avoided taking political responsibility. He did not give satisfactory answers to any of the issues that we raised. For example on his vote in favour of a tax amnesty from which his wife then benefited or on his involvement in Acuamed case. We are not here to judge whether he has committed a crime or not, but it is clear to us that he has not acted in a morally acceptable or transparent way for someone in his position.”
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