Renew Europe calls for investigation of ties between MEPs of Bulgaria's Vazrazhdane party with United Russia

Solemn performance of the European anthem during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, European Parliament, Strasbourg

Photo: Irina Nedeva, BNR

The agreement between Bulgaria's political party "Vazrazhdane" (Revival) and "United Russia" has raised questions and reactions, reaching the plenary hall of the European Parliament today. In addition to the Greens Group in the EP, Valérie Hayer, Chair of the Renew Europe group, called for an investigation into the three MEPs from Vazrazhdane, who are part of the Europe of Sovereign Nations group in the European Parliament, due to information about an agreement between the Bulgarian party Vazrazhdane and the party "United Russia."

A delegation of Vazrazhdane party visits Moscow

During the press conferences of political groups in the first days of the May plenary session of the European Parliament, the question has consistently been raised: how would you comment on the official association of MEPs from European sovereigntist parties—namely the Bulgarian party Vazrazhdane - with “United Russia,” the party of Vladimir Putin, as it is known here?

Today, the question, originally posed by journalists from Politico, reached the plenary chamber, with a call for investigation made by Valérie Hayer, Chair of Renew Europe:

"These are blatant attacks to our common values but also to the parliament’s integrity and reputation. Renew Europe ask you, madame President, to investigate whether the three members of the Revival Party sitting in this house received any financial contribution or donation from United Russia to influence our parliamentary work in their favour. And we ask you, Madame President, to make sure that no trip to Moscow on Friday is financially covered by the Parliament in one way or another", Valerie Hayer stated from the parliamentary rostrum.

Renew Europe's request to investigate the MEPs from Vazrazhdane prompted a response from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament:

"Point taken. I think that everyone needs to weigh up their responsibility seriously and understand how their actions could impact our efforts and be interpreted and used. With Ukrainians still fighting for their freedom, I would urge everyone to treat carefully. It is an honorable calling to serve Europe in this house of democracy and I would ask you all to respect that."

Vijay Monani, Deputy Secretary General of Europe of Sovereign Nations - the smallest political group in the EP - confirmed to BNR that the group would be discussing the “Vazrazhdane–United Russia” agreement, but so far, the group has not provided a position.

The controversy surrounding the Vazrazhdane-United Russia connection coincides with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The Bulgarian MEPs from Vazrazhdane were among the few who remained seated during the performance of the European anthem in front of World War II veterans attending the solemn ceremony in the plenary hall of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Photo: Irina Nedeva (BNR)

English version and publication: Rositsa Petkova

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