Russian network of influence in the European Parliament: Nathalie Loiseau points to the “extreme right”

She talks about “a very serious issue.” Renewed MEP Nathalie Loizeau on Saturday singled out the “European far right”, in particular the “Germans and the French”, some of whose representatives in the European Parliament are suspected of receiving money from Russia as part of an influence network.

The scandal emerged on Wednesday after the Czech intelligence services announced the liquidation of a Moscow-funded network that disseminated pro-Russian propaganda in Ukraine through the Voice of Europe website and extended its influence “all the way to the European Parliament.” , without further details. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo spoke on Thursday about the case of “parliamentarians receiving money” without identifying them.

We learn not only “that a certain number of European parliamentarians came” to the “Voice of Europe” to repeat Russian propaganda, but also “that some would have been paid for it,” Nathalie Loizeau was indignant on Saturday on franceinfo. “I would like to point out that these parliamentarians who went there and gave interviews to the Voice of Europe all belong to the European, German and French far right,” she assured.

“Sowing Confusion”

“This is a very serious matter,” insisted Nathalie Loiseau, admitting “a shock, but not a surprise,” since “we know that Russia (…) is trying to influence European MPs.” “It is shocking to realize that some deputies would have given in to Russia and, above all, they would have given in not out of conviction, but because they were corrupt,” she explained.

The Renew Europe group (centrists and liberals), to which Nathalie Loiseau belongs, and the Green group have asked the European Parliament to open an internal investigation ten weeks before the next European elections. “Since the beginning of the year and the preparation for the European elections, there has been a lot of disinformation and a lot of trolls,” said the former French minister for European affairs.

The goal, she said, is “to sow confusion and doubt about the role of Russia and Ukraine and try to push a narrative that, ultimately, it is not worth supporting Ukraine, that sanctions against Russia are useless and even dangerous for Europe.