Belgian authorities are moving to lift the parliamentary immunity of five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as part of an ongoing bribery investigation linked to Huawei.

Among those under investigation are Maltese Socialist Daniel Attard, Bulgarian lawmaker Nikola Minchev, and Italian EPP member Salvatore De Meo, all of whom have confirmed their involvement.

This scandal raises significant concerns about corruption and foreign influence within European political institutions, particularly regarding the Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

The investigation, codenamed 'Génération', has been underway for several months and was largely kept under wraps until now.

The prosecutor's office has cited various forms of inducements in the corruption allegations, including excessive gifts and invitations to football matches aimed at influencing political decisions.

Recently, the Belgian public prosecutor's office charged eight individuals with active corruption and money laundering, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The corruption scandal first came to light in mid-March 2025, prompting extensive searches and arrests across multiple EU countries.

The request to lift immunity will be presented in a plenary session of the European Parliament, where the legal affairs committee will review it and prepare a report for a vote.

This case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Huawei's activities in Europe, amidst broader discussions about cybersecurity and foreign investments.

The investigation not only threatens the political careers of the implicated MEPs but also raises questions about accountability and transparency within the European Parliament.

Huawei has denied any wrongdoing, asserting its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and compliance with laws.

As the investigation unfolds, it is expected to impact the credibility of the European Parliament, which is still dealing with the fallout from the ongoing Qatargate scandal.