{"id":2607,"date":"2024-04-12T17:21:21","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T17:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=2607"},"modified":"2024-04-12T17:21:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T17:21:21","slug":"belgium-investigates-alleged-russian-interference-in-eu-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=2607","title":{"rendered":"Belgium investigates alleged Russian interference in EU elections"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Belgium authorities are investigating suspected Russian interference in upcoming European parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Friday, after claims that lawmakers were paid to promote Kremlin propaganda. <\/p>\n

De Croo added that Belgium’s intelligence service has confirmed the existence of pro-Russian networks acting in several European countries, including Belgium, to undermine support for Ukraine. <\/p>\n

“According to our intelligence service, the objectives of Moscow are very clear,” he added. “The objective is to help elect more pro-Russian candidates to the European Parliament and to reinforce a certain pro-Russian narrative in that institution.” <\/p>\n

Moscow has previously denied similar allegations of attempting to sway Western elections. <\/p>\n

The allegations come before polls on June 6-9 to elect a new EU Parliament. They also come as Ukraine’s self-defense is at a critical juncture more than two years after Russia’s invasion. <\/p>\n

As promised aid has been held up in Western countries like the United States, Russia has maintained a slight advantage in the war. <\/p>\n

“A weakened European support for Ukraine serves Russia on the battlefield,” De Croo said. <\/p>\n

According to De Croo, the probe was launched after Czech authorities found pro-Russian individuals in Brussels seeking to influence lawmakers on adopting a pro-Kremlin agenda. <\/p>\n

De Croo said that cash payments seemed to have been made outside of Belgium, but interference has occurred in Brussels. <\/p>\n

A similar event occurred last year, when European lawmakers were accused of being paid to promote Qatari and Moroccan interests, an allegation both countries denied. <\/p>\n

De Croo said, “We have a responsibility, and our responsibility is to uphold that every citizen’s right to a free and safe vote can be maintained.” <\/p>\n

The prime minister has requested an urgent meeting at the European Union’s Agency for Criminal and Justice Cooperation to discuss the matter and advise the EU’s anti-fraud office to prosecute the case. <\/p>\n

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n