Qatar’s diplomats are persona non grata in the European Parliament — especially those carrying suspiciously bulging briefcases.

In the wake of the cash-for-influence corruption scandal bearing the Gulf kingdom’s name, the institution tightened up rules for Qatari diplomats entering the premises. According to nonbinding guidelines, lawmakers should ask the Parliament’s permission before meeting the Qatari Embassy.

The same goes for Moroccan diplomats, as the North African country also stands accused in the scandal. But the EU institutions overall have maintained warm relations with Morocco — and there’s been barely a peep of criticism against gas-rich Qatar, either.

Runners-up: The two countries’ diplomatic corps aren’t the only people getting the cold shoulder in Parliament. Amazon’s 14 lobbyists had their badges revoked after the company refused to engage with MEPs’ labor concerns. Kurdish independence activists got on Parliament’s bad side when they interrupted proceedings last year. Human rights activists interrupted voting on the bloc’s new migration and asylum pact in April, prompting criticism from President Roberta Metsola, who said that voting should be respected.

The Covid-19 virus was a major black sheep, as it closed down the Parliament for months on end.

Honorable mention: The dog that barked shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave a speech in Strasbourg.

— Eddy Wax