2024-03-30 00:02:56
The Czech Republic said on Wednesday that its intelligence had uncovered a network that spread Russian propaganda through the Prague-based news website Voice of Europe.
Moscow also paid MEPs to spread Russian propaganda, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Thursday.
The revelations come a year after the Qatargate bribery scandal, in which several EU lawmakers were accused of being paid to support the interests of Qatar and Morocco.
The political groups in the EP now want the assembly to investigate the latest developments.
Valerie Hayer, who heads the centrist Renew group, wrote to EP President Roberta Metsola demanding “a thorough and transparent internal investigation”.
“If current MEPs or candidates in the upcoming European Parliament elections have received money from the Russian government or its proxies, it must be clarified and action must be taken,” she said.
The Renew faction also called for an “urgent debate” in Parliament.
The Greens said a “swift and thorough” investigation was needed.
“This is how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is trying to avoid responsibility for the war in Ukraine… This is a direct attack on the very fabric of our democracy,” said Terry Reintke, one of the main Green candidates in June’s EP elections. “Politicians who received money from Russia should be severely punished both politically and legally.”
A spokesperson for the Parliament said that “the findings of the Czech authorities on Voice of Europe are currently being examined in cooperation with institutional partners”.
The spokesperson added that the parliament has already banned media outlets included in the EU sanctions lists from entering the institution.
EU legislators are subject to strict independence and ethics rules, and those who violate them can face financial and other penalties.
The European politicians involved were not named, but the Greens and a Czech daily said they included representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.
2024-03-30 00:02:56