Chinese spy scandal shows the extreme right is a risk to European security

Following the arrest of a staff member working for a far-right member of the European Parliament on suspicion of spying for China, Renew Europe repeats its call for far-right MEPs who are undermining European security and its institutions to be exposed.

President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, must take swift action to enhance security screening of staff and guarantee the security of the Parliament, including temporarily removing Parliamentary access for the arrested employee until the investigation is concluded.

Voters have a right to know if candidates or sitting MEPs are truly working for European values or in fact for the interests of Moscow and Beijing.

Renew Europe MEP, Nathalie Loiseau (Horizons, France), Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, said:

"We continue to see that on the far right of this chamber, people are putting our institutions at risk of interference from third countries. Mrs Metsola must act to ensure the integrity of this house, within the limits of due process. Security clearances for staff and MEPs dealing with sensitive issues are long overdue. The Russiagate allegations and this arrest show the time for naivety is over. Ahead of important European elections, our fellow citizens have a right to know which MEPs are acting out of conviction and which are giving in to corruption or even aiding foreign interference."

Moritz Körner MEP (FDP, Germany) said :

"The employee of the AFD-EU top candidate allegedly works for the Chinese secret service. Number 2 on the AFD European list is allegedly paid by Russia. Anyone who votes for AfD despite this information hates Germany and Europe."