© Diana Hoffmann / RTL
The European General Court is set to hear the appeal of former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo, who is seeking to overturn sanctions related to accusations of bullying her assistant.
Former Luxembourg MEP Monica Semedo was sanctioned by the European Parliament in April 2023 for allegedly bullying her assistant.
On Tuesday, she appealed to the European General Court (EGC), seeking to annul the sanctions imposed against her. The sanctions involved the withholding of ten of Semedo's daily allowances following accusations of psychological harassment.
During the EGC hearing, Semedo's lawyer raised two key points aimed at justifying the annulment of the sanctions.
First, the lawyer argued that the investigation conducted by the European Parliament was improper. Semedo had been invited to meet with the advisory committee, but she was not permitted to bring legal representation, while the committee members had their own lawyers present. Semedo's lawyer contended that this constituted a violation of legal rights, as the committee is responsible for establishing the facts and recommending sanctions to the President of the Parliament. The lawyer emphasised that the nature of such a hearing is critical, as it could significantly impact the accused's reputation and career.
Second, the lawyer addressed the specific allegations against Semedo, which included creating a stressful work environment, demanding her assistant work beyond regular hours, and exhibiting aggressive behaviour. However, the lawyer maintained that the evidence did not support the claim of psychological harassment.
In contrast, the European Parliament asserted that Semedo could have expressed her views in writing and noted that she did not attend the committee meeting to address the allegations in person. The Parliament clarified that the absence of a lawyer at the appointment was standard practice for administrative procedures, aimed at ensuring an honest and calm discussion. The Parliament also reiterated that Semedo's behaviour met the criteria for bullying.
As of now, it remains unclear when the EGC will issue a judgment in this case.
