A Bulgarian nationalist MEP made, Wednesday, February 16, a Nazi salute in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, a gesture condemned by the president of this institution and which could give rise to a sanction.
After speaking during a debate on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary, walking up the steps leading to the exit of the hemicycle, Angel Dzhambazki, of the eurosceptic group ECR, turns around and extends his right arm in front of him a few seconds before leaving, can we see on the video of the debate available on the website of the European Parliament.
“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.
Because he championed the rule of law in , @sandrogozi was insulted by the MEP @djambazkiwho left the Chamber with a scandalous Nazi salute.
You have our full support Sandro.
We ask Mrs Metsola, @EP_Presidentto act. pic.twitter.com/rIXrbB5wO1
— Renaissance (@Renaissance_UE) February 16, 2022
He also called on Twitter a“abomination” the decision of the Court of Justice of the 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.
“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.” 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 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.