The Parliament calls on the political leadership of the EU and its member states to urgently and vigorously oppose Russia’s attempts to interfere.
Following the latest revelations about Kremlin-backed attempts to subvert European democratic processes, MEPs on Thursday adopted a resolution strongly condemning such efforts and stressing that they must be combated. Parliament is outraged by credible allegations that some MEPs have been paid to spread Russian propaganda and that several MEPs participated in the activities of the pro-Russian media outlet Voice of Europe while Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
Parliament demands that EU and member state leaders address Russia’s interference efforts not only in EU institutions, but throughout the European Union. They emphasize that, taking into account the upcoming European Parliament elections on 6-9 2024. in June, it must be dealt with urgently and decisively.
Elected representatives have been paid to spread propaganda
Citing allegations of Russian meddling across Europe, including Bulgaria, Germany and Slovakia, MEPs express concern over the recent questioning by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) MP Maximilian Kraa over suspicions that he received money from Kremlin agents, and his parliamentary assistant was detained in Germany on April 23 this year on suspicion of spying for China.
The parliament calls on the AfD to immediately publicly declare its financial relations with the Kremlin, and to make public the purpose and exact amounts of payments from all Kremlin-related sources.
The intervention must be fought together and energetically
While Russia remains the main source of foreign interference and disinformation in the European Union, other countries have also carried out such campaigns, MEPs say. They emphasize that the EU’s response to this threat can only be effective if it is based on a transversal, comprehensive and long-term policy approach jointly implemented by the EU and its Member States.
To strengthen Parliament’s protection, the resolution proposes improving Parliament’s security culture, including conducting thorough internal investigations to assess potential foreign interference and fully implementing its internal sanctions system. MEPs also want mandatory security training for MPs and staff, and to establish adequate security clearance and increased vetting of staff.
The resolution calls on the Council to include Kremlin-backed media, other broadcasters and media organizations, as well as individuals responsible for propaganda and disinformation campaigns in the EU, in the upcoming 14th Russia sanctions package. MEPs demand that the EU and its member states impose the same sanctions against “Voice of Europe”, Ukrainian pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and his associate Artyom Marchevsky as adopted by the Czech Republic. They regret the fact that “Voice of Europe” was able to resume operations from Kazakhstan and call on the EU member states to ensure that the content of this media cannot be accessed in the European Union.
The resolution was adopted with 429 votes “for”, 27 “against” and 48 “abstentions”.
Full text of the resolution available here.
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Tags: MEPs call strong response prevent Russian interference
