17/01/2020 (Agence Europe) – Following the publication of the article on the internal debates within the Greens/EFA group to join the 5-Star Movement (see EUROPE 12405/2) on Thursday 16 January, the 5-Star Movement states that it has never been linked to financial scandals or judicial investigations. “Reimbursement of part of MEPs' salaries is a free choice and an internal rule of the Movement”, adds its press service in reference to suspicions of misappropriation of parliamentary allowance reimbursements at the national level. “Few MEPs did not live up to this commitment made with citizens before elections. Elected officials have returned a total of more than 100 million euros since they entered the national Parliament”. (PH)