On Thursday 8 February, MEPs adopted a resolution condemning “the continuous efforts by Russia to undermine European democracy” (433 votes in favour, 56 against and 18 abstentions).
As we wrote in our previous bulletin (see EUROPE 13345/5), the text focuses mainly on the concerns raised by the revelations concerning the potential espionage activities carried out by Latvian MEP Tatjana Ždanoka (non-attached Member) on behalf of Moscow.
The vote confirms the willingness of MEPs to cooperate with the Latvian authorities to determine the “appropriate sanctions and criminal proceedings”. The text also draws attention to the fact that Ms Ždanoka’s case may not be isolated and that other MEPs may also have served Moscow’s interests through fake electoral missions in Russian-occupied territories.
MEPs are also concerned about the links between Russia and certain political groups, Moscow’s alleged relations with Catalan secessionists and its role in disinformation campaigns in certain Member States.
MEPs also refer to the reform of the European Parliament’s rules decided in the wake of ‘Qatargate’ (see EUROPE 13082/1) and aimed at increasing the institution’s transparency and integrity. In their view, this issue should receive “the highest level of political and administrative attention”.
See the text: https://aeur.eu/f/aro (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)