Immigration, Metsola criticises the European Parliament: “Aggressive chants damage the institution’s reputation”

From our correspondent in Strasbourg – First, voting alongside the far right to facilitate deportations; then, condemnation and stigmatisation for the consequences of the EPP’s alliance with the most extreme groups in the chamber. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, opened the July plenary session by looking back at the previous one, held in June. During that session, after the green light for the new EU return regulations, stadium-style chants rang out in the chamber calling for the forced return of migrants (“send them home”). These moments were filmed by MEPs themselves and went viral. Images that have been seen around the world, much to Metsola’s dismay. 

“Aggressive chanting, protests, pointing fingers at colleagues and filming them are unacceptable acts,” stated the President of the European Parliament at the start of the new session, which opened with a discussion on “the behaviour we witnessed last month in this chamber.” Metsola criticised such behaviour, stating that it “does not reflect the image of this institution, of Europe, and of the citizens we all represent.” Yet the institution has lost face; this is the problem that prompts revisiting the events of June. “There is a limit, which was crossed during the last plenary session,” Metsola continued, reiterating: “Aggressive behaviour damages the reputation of this institution and undermines the values we are so committed to defending.” 

Far-right MEPs have been issued with an ultimatum: behave or face sanctions. “I can assure you that we will respond accordingly, applying the rules impartially and taking the necessary measures to ensure that scenes such as those we witnessed last month are never repeated,” warns Metsola. Her extremist allies, at least on migration issues, are therefore being urged to play the role of anti-refugee and anti-rights advocates, but to do so politely. Because, as Metsola points out, “as elected Members of the European Parliament, we have all committed ourselves to acting with the dignity that this Institution and this chamber deserve, and which citizens expect of us in every aspect of our work.”  

By now, however, the EU has lost credibility with regard to the values it once upheld. The project of integration and peace has become a project of rejection and rearmament, and these values are being called into question, as demonstrated by the different standards used to respond to similar situations but involving different key players. 

Metsola does not disavow the political alliances of her party, the EPP, but is belatedly trying to save what little face is left.