Luxembourg MEP sanctioned for harassment allegations, again – EURACTIV.com

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Luxembourg lawmaker Monica Semedo (Renew) has been disciplined again over allegations of harassment after a former Semedo staffer accused her of bullying.

The charges surfaced at the end of November last year and come from a former assistant who was fired due to allegedly unprofessional behavior. The former deputy filed a complaint against Semedo almost a year later.

Semedo said the accusations were false and unfounded. Once again, the confidential procedures of the European Parliament, which are established to protect both parties, have not been respected, she told RTL.

A decision was taken on Tuesday, with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola deciding to ban Semedo from parliament for ten days, a move that will see his pay, the equivalent of around €3,380, suspended.

The decision was taken following the conclusions of the advisory committee dealing with complaints of harassment between accredited parliamentary assistants and Members of the European Parliament and its prevention in the workplace.

It is the second time the MEP has been disciplined for the mistreatment of her staff, following a first conviction in 2021. At the time, three staff members accused her of intimidation, which resulted in a two-week suspension.

After the decision, she resigned from the Democratic Party (DP Demokratesch Partei in Lux), Prime Minister Xavier Bettel’s party, feeling disillusioned with her former party. However, she did not give up her mandate in the European Parliament.

The legislator will be able to appeal against the decision imposed by Parliament.

(Luka Krauss | EURACTIV.com)

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