The European Parliament has authorized the opening of an investigation into the European party Europe of Sovereign Nations (Esn), a group legally distinct from the parliamentary group of the same name which also includes Futuro Nazionale MEP Roberto Vannacci. The plenary approved the request by secret ballot with 414 votes in favour, 224 against and 18 abstentions.
The checks of the independent Authority
The vote of the European Chamber authorizes the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations to start checks on the registration and financing conditions of ESN, whose main component is the German far right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). The body will have to ascertain whether the party respects the fundamental values of the European Union, including democracy, the rule of law and human rights. In case of violations, it will be able to decide on cancellation from the register of European parties and the consequent stop to funding.
Roberto Vannacci joins the ESN parliamentary group, but the European party subjected to verification constitutes a separate legal entity from the group present in the European Chamber.
The Conservatives vote against
The European Conservatives and Reformists (Ecr) group voted against the request for an investigation. Co-president Patryk Jaki, speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg before the vote, defined the procedure as “anti-democratic and ridiculous”, arguing that “the idea that the majority can appoint an authority made up of people like them to carry out a control of the opinions of minorities” represents a vulnerability to freedom of expression. “We are not defending ESN in principle, but freedom of speech,” he said.