Greens/EFA call for investigation into and consequences for Russian interference

Today, at the initiative of the Greens/EFA Group, Members of the European Parliament will debate the revelations about alleged Russian payments to, among others, German AfD MP Petr Bystron.

Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

“The suspected cases must be a wake-up call for all true democrats. These serious allegations must be clarified and there must be consequences. If the allegations are confirmed, this would be further proof of how right-wing extremists are becoming the mouthpiece of Russian disinformation campaigns and pro-Kremlin propaganda. 

“We call on the Commission to investigate to what extent platforms such as X have failed to fulfil their obligations under the Digital Services Act, as well as to what extent their algorithms pose a risk to elections, for example through the spread of disinformation. The Commission must not shy away from tough sanctions against Elon Musk and Co.

“If the allegations prove to be true, the AfD will reveal itself to be a haven for propaganda puppets on the Russian president’s payroll. Anyone who allows themselves to be bought by the Russian president or other despots must bear the political and legal consequences.”

The plenary debate can be followed live here, with a speech by Terry Reintke