Belgium’s Prime Minister known as on the European Parliament to launch an investigation into claims of a community that had been spreading Russian propaganda by paying EU lawmakers.
The Czech Republic mentioned on Wednesday its spies found the community had been spreading Russian propaganda via the Prague-based Voice of Europe news website.
Moscow additionally paid cash to MEPs to advertise Russian propaganda, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo mentioned on Thursday.
The revelation comes a 12 months after the “Qatargate” bribery scandal, during which numerous EU lawmakers had been accused of being paid to advertise the pursuits of Qatar and Morocco.
The EU parliament’s political teams now need the meeting to probe the newest claims.
Valerie Hayer, who heads the centrist Renew grouping, wrote to parliament president Roberta Metsola to demand “a full and transparent internal investigation.”
“If sitting MEPs or candidates in the upcoming European elections have taken money from the Russian government or their proxies, they must be exposed and action taken,” she mentioned.
The Renew group additionally known as for an “urgent debate” within the parliament.
The Greens mentioned there wanted to be a “swift and thorough” investigation.
“This is how (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is trying to get away with his war in Ukraine…. It’s a direct attack on the very fabric of our democracy,” mentioned Terry Reintke, one of many lead candidates for the Greens within the European elections in June.
“The politicians who have received money from Russia should be severely punished, both politically and legally,” she added in a press release.
A spokesperson for the parliament mentioned it was “currently looking into the findings of the Czech authorities regarding outlet ‘Voice of Europe’ in coordination with its institutional partners.”
The spokesperson added that the parliament already prohibits entry to the establishments for media which might be on EU sanctions lists.
EU lawmakers face strict guidelines relating to independence and ethics and might face penalties – monetary and in any other case – in the event that they violate them.
The European politicians concerned haven’t been named however the Greens and a Czech every day claimed they got here from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.
Source: www.dailysabah.com