New Delhi:
Three of the largest groups in the European Parliament are demanding that the European Union (EU) assess whether Switzerland should be categorised as a high-risk country for money laundering and financial crime, as a response to the Credit Suisse leak, that continues to reverberate about the world.
This comes less than 48-hours after several media houses published an investigation into the leak as part of the Suisse secrets project. In addition, several political groups representing the majority of MEPs in the European Parliament support the possible blacklisting of Switzerland.
The centre-right European People’s party’s (EPP’s) economic and monetary affairs spokesperson, on Monday, demanded that the European Commission reconsider their decision as to whether Switzerland poses a threat to the financial integrity of the bloc.
Spokespersons for the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe, Â the second and third-largest groupings representing the left and centre-left in the parliament respectively, expressed support for the move on Tuesday, the report said.
It could mean that Switzerland might be added to an EU list of rogue nations that are considered at high-risk for money laundering, like nations such as Iran, Syria and North Korea.
“These latest revelations show that too many of the world’s largest banks have still not learned their lesson. Banks are only too willing to accept dirty money, as long as they can pocket the fees,” said Jonás Fernández, an S&D MEP and spokesperson for economic and monetary affairs.(IANS)