His gesture is visible on the video of the debate available on the European Parliament website. After speaking during a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary, Angel Dzhambazki, from the eurosceptic group European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), climbs the steps leading to the exit of the hemicycle, turns around and stretches his right arm in front of him for a few seconds before leaving.
“We will never allow you to tell us what to say and what to do. Long live Bulgaria, Hungary, Orban, Fidesz and the Europe of nation states”, had previously declared the elected representative of the Bulgarian nationalist party VMRO at the desk of the hemicycle. He also qualified on Twitter “of abomination” the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) which validated on Wednesday a mechanism, contested by Warsaw and Budapest, making it possible to deprive of European funds a country where violations of the rule of law are observed.
“Scandalous and outrageous”
“A fascist salute in the European Parliament is unacceptable”tweeted the president of the institution, the Maltese Roberta Metsola (EPP, right). “It offends me and it offends everyone in Europe (…) This gesture is part of the darkest chapter in our history and must remain there. »
The vice-president of the European Parliament, the Italian Pina Picierno, who led the debate at the time of the events, had indicated earlier that the institution would verify using the cameras “whether there was a fascist salute or not” and that if this was the case, sanctions would be taken.
Outrageous and outrageous. Full support dear @sandrogozi ?? https://t.co/YmYpT3BZ0f
French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, who was present at the debate as part of the French EU Presidency, called the gesture on Twitter a “scandalous and outrageous”. The French delegation of the centrist group Renew Europe asked Roberta Metsola “to act”.
The rules of procedure of the European Parliament specify that Members “refrain from any inappropriate behavior” and “any offensive remark”. In the event of non-compliance with these rules, the sanction may relate in particular to participation in parliamentary activities or to allowances.