Brussels, April 13, 2024 – With less than two months remaining before European voters cast their ballots in the EU Parliament elections, Belgium has announced an investigation into suspected pro-Russian networks attempting to sway the outcome of the vote.
Prime Minister Alexander de Croo has stated that Moscow’s objective is to bolster support for pro-Russian candidates within the European Parliament.
Speaking on the matter, de Croo emphasized the significance of maintaining solidarity with Ukraine, asserting that weakened support for the nation plays directly into Russia’s hands on the battlefield.
The investigation follows recent disclosures from the Czech government, which claimed to have dismantled a pro-Kremlin network operating within its borders.
Intelligence agencies in both Prague and Poland have alleged that the Voice of Europe news website was financed by Moscow to disseminate propaganda and provide financial support to sympathetic European politicians. Despite these allegations, the website has yet to respond.
Echoing the Czech revelations, Prime Minister de Croo revealed that Belgian intelligence has corroborated the existence of spy networks operating not only within Belgium but also in several other European countries.
He disclosed that Moscow has engaged with European Members of Parliament and even provided financial incentives to promote a pro-Russian agenda.
While Belgian authorities have initiated legal proceedings, no individuals suspected of receiving funds have been named. Prime Minister de Croo clarified that although no cash transactions occurred within Belgium, evidence suggests ongoing pro-Russian interference in the electoral process.
Several politicians on the far-right spectrum in Europe have been identified as sympathetic to Russia. Reports from the Czech Republic suggest that the Voice of Europe website made payments to politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary in exchange for making pro-Russian statements aimed at influencing the upcoming elections.
In response to the allegations, Petr Bystron, a candidate for Germany’s far-right AfD party, vehemently denied accusations of receiving Russian funds.
Belgian Prime Minister de Croo underscored the urgency of addressing the threat posed by pro-Russian interference, highlighting his communication with counterparts in the Czech Republic and European Union institutions.
He asserted that allowing such meddling in the electoral process is unacceptable and emphasized Belgium’s commitment to ensuring a free and secure vote in the EU Parliament elections.
The capital of Belgium, Brussels, serves as a significant hub for the European Union, housing both the European Commission and the European Parliament.
The revelations of pro-Russian influence networks operating in such a pivotal location underscore the gravity of the situation.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has cautioned that the actions of these networks pose a serious threat to both Czech and EU security. In response, his government imposed sanctions on the Voice of Europe website, and two pro-Russian individuals were associated with it.
As European nations prepare for the upcoming elections, the spectre of foreign interference looms large, prompting heightened vigilance and calls for decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
