European Parliament President Roberta Metsola (EPP,MT) must decide whether to sanction two MEPs accused of hate speech following last week’s vote on new EU migration rules.
Valérie Hayer (Renew,FR), leader of the Renew Europe group, wrote to Metsola on Friday alleging that Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm (ECR,DK) and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen,(ECR,FI) both members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group, committed acts “of a racist nature” against Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani, (Renew,SE) in breach of Parliament’s code of conduct.
In her letter, Hayer said she was concerned about “the sense of impunity” if such behaviour went unaddressed and urged Metsola to examine the lawmakers’ conduct during and after the vote and consider appropriate disciplinary measures.
As Parliament president, Metsola is responsible for hearing from all parties and determining whether sanctions are warranted. Possible penalties range from a formal reprimand to restrictions on parliamentary activities, including a temporary ban on representing Parliament, suspension of the daily allowance, or limits on participation in parliamentary work for up to 60 working days.
No timetable has been given for a decision. Parliament spokesperson Delphine Collard said all complaints from lawmakers are taken seriously and confirmed that Metsola had made clear the matter would be examined.
The complaints follow last week’s vote on the return regulation, a proposal intended to speed up the deportation of irregular migrants. After the vote, right-wing lawmakers chanted “send them back.” Al-Sahlani told the chamber she had “never felt as unsafe” in the European Parliament.
Tynkkynen later posted a video clip of Al-Sahlani on social media with the caption “cry more,” while Storm commented that Al-Sahlani, who was born in Iraq, “should go home.”
Al-Sahlani filed an official complaint with Metsola on Thursday, saying hate speech between MEPs was clearly contrary to Parliament’s code of conduct. Storm rejected accusations of racism, saying his comment referred to Al-Sahlani leaving the chamber if she found the outcome of the vote and the reactions to it distressing, and denied it had any connection to her ethnic background or country of birth.
Al-Sahlani rejected that explanation, saying the remark amounted to racial exclusion. She said Sweden was her home, noting that she had learned the language, worked, paid taxes, become a Swedish citizen and been elected to the European Parliament.
Tynkkynen did not respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.
According to two people familiar with the matter, the Social Democrats, Renew, Greens and The Left also submitted a complaint to Metsola over what they described as racist comments following the chants in the chamber. The sources said Metsola indicated she would look into the issue.
Source: Politico
 must decide whether to sanction two MEPs accused of hate speech following last week's vote on new EU migration rules. Valérie Hayer (Renew,FR), leader of the Renew Europe group, wrote to Metsola on Friday alleging that Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm (ECR,DK) and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen,(ECR,FI) both members of…){kind=link}