Interference by the Venezuelan regime in European democratic processes
15.6.2020
Priority question for written answer P-003567/2020/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Antonio Tajani (PPE)
On 15 June 2020 the Spanish daily newspaper ABC published classified documents, dating back to 2010, according to which Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s Minister for Foreign Affairs at the time, authorised funding of EUR 3.5 million for the ‘Movimento 5 Stelle’ in Italy.
Foreign interference in elections is a threat to European democracies and the only parties that benefit are anti-EU movements, extremist forces and populist movements. Already in its Communication of 12 September 2018, the Commission had committed itself to securing free and fair European elections. In October 2019 Parliament passed a resolution denouncing the provision by third countries of direct and indirect financial support for European political actors.
In light of this:
- 1.What action will the Commission take to protect democracy and EU citizens and ensure that elections held in Member States are free ones?
- 2.What steps will the Commission now take to check whether national and EU parties have received funding from the Venezuelan regime and over what period of time?
- 3.What action will the Commission take in agreement with the European Council should any such illicit financing prove to have taken place?