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Spanish MEP, Xabier Benito, who made the request to include an appearance from Cañete in the plenary agenda, spoke during the opening session of the plenary today to demand an explanation from the Commissioner.
Alongside the judicial cases on corruption, he also recalled the involvement of Cañete's family in the Panama Papers scandal.
“Cañete must explain himself if he does not want to keep damaging public confidence in the European institutions,” said Benito.
“The European Commission, as well as the 'grand coalition' between the Socialists and the EPP, is also responsible for the designation of Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, even though the Cañete family hold shares in a firm in the oil sector,” he added.
Benito's request has been rejected by both the Socialists and the EPP, and the Parliament as a whole has turned down the proposal with 255 votes against, 106 votes in favour and 28 abstentions.
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