At debate in Strasbourg
MEP shows Hitler salute
02/17/2022, 07:30 am
In the middle of a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary, a Bulgarian MEP extends his arm in the Hitler salute in the European Parliament. At the lectern he declared: “Long live Bulgaria, Hungary, Orban, Fidesz and the Europe of nation states.” The EU Parliament is appalled.
A nationalist MP from Bulgaria gave the Hitler salute in the European Parliament. After taking the floor in a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary on Wednesday and walking up the steps to the exit of the hemicycle, Angel Dzhambazki of the Eurosceptic Group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) turned and stretched his right arm some seconds ahead, as can be seen in the video of the debate.
“We will never allow you to tell us what to say and what to do,” the deputy from the nationalist Bulgarian party VMRO said earlier on the lectern in the plenary hall. “Long live Bulgaria, Hungary, Orban, Fidesz and the Europe of nation states.” He also tweeted that the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) recent ruling on the rule of law mechanism was an “abomination”.
On Wednesday, the ECJ dismissed Poland’s and Hungary’s lawsuits against the mechanism for reducing EU funds in the event of violations of the rule of law. The governments of Poland and Hungary have long been criticized for breaches of the rule of law.
“Part of the darkest chapter of our history”
EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned Dzhambazki’s act on Twitter: “A fascist salute in the European Parliament is unacceptable”. Dzhambazki insulted “everyone in Europe” with it. “This gesture is part of the darkest chapter of our history and must stay there.”
Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, who was chairing the debate at the time of the incident, had previously stated that the institution would use the video recordings to check “whether or not there was a fascist salute”. If this is the case, sanctions would be taken.
The European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure state that MEPs must refrain from “any inappropriate conduct” and “any offensive language”. Violations of these rules can result in, among other things, being banned from participating in parliamentary activities or having allowances withdrawn.
The rule of law mechanism came into force at the beginning of last year, but had not yet been applied until the ECJ decision. Warsaw and Budapest were opposed to the mechanism from the start and complained that they wanted the ECJ to annul it. But they were unsuccessful: the Court of Justice ruled that the rule of law mechanism was compatible with the EU Treaty and fell within the EU’s area of responsibility.