Marc Tarabella

Marc Tarabella is a Belgian politician who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the French Community of Belgium with the Parti Socialiste, part of the Socialist Group. In February 2023 he was charged with corruption and money laundering in connection with the Qatar corruption scandal at the European Parliament.

Early life

Tarabella was born in Ougrée, a suburb of Seraing from a family originally from Versilia, Italy.

Education

1986: Degree in sociology, University of Liège
1988: Seconded to the office of the Premier of the Walloon Region
1990: Customer adviser, General Savings and Retirement Fund
Political career

Career in national politics

1988–1994: Member of the Anthisnes Municipal Council
since 1994: Mayor of Anthisnes
2000: Member of the executive of the Huy-Waremme Federation of the Socialist Party
2003: President of the Rural Foundation of Wallonia
2002: Belgian coordinator of the committees supporting Ingrid Betancourt
Member of the European Parliament

In parliament, Tarabella sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. He is a substitute for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and a vice-chair of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
In January 2021, Tarabella became a member of the Italian left-wing party Article One.
Amid the Qatar corruption scandal at the European Parliament in late 2022, Belgian police searched Tarabella's home. He subsequently suspended himself from the S&D group, and his Walloon Socialist party revoked his membership. He also stepped down as member and vice chair of the European Parliament’s delegation to Qatar and other Arabian Peninsula countries.
In February 2023 the European Parliament voted to waive immunity for Tarabella. He was subsequently arrested, charged with corruption and money laundering and remanded into custody. He denied any wrongdoing. In April 2023 he was released from prison and the following month released from house arrest.