Key facts
- European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will rule on complaints of hate speech.
- The complaints involve Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen.
- The alleged hate speech occurred after a vote on EU migration rules.
- Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani is the target of the alleged remarks.
- Metsola has the authority to impose disciplinary measures, including reprimands or suspension.
- Storm denies his comment was racist, interpreting "go home" as a suggestion to reflect.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is set to rule on complaints of hate speech lodged against two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) following a recent vote on EU migration rules. The allegations stem from comments made by Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen, both from the European Conservatives and Reformists group, directed at Swedish MEP Abir Al-Sahlani.
Valérie Hayer, leader of the Renew Europe group, formally complained to Metsola, citing "acts of a racist nature" against Al-Sahlani, which she stated breaches the Parliament's code of conduct. Hayer expressed concern over a potential "sense of impunity" if such behavior goes unaddressed and urged Metsola to use appropriate disciplinary measures.
Following the vote on a proposal to expedite the deportation of irregular migrants, Al-Sahlani reported feeling unsafe in the hemicycle. Subsequently, right-wing lawmakers chanted "send them back." Tynkkynen shared a clip of Al-Sahlani on social media with the caption "cry more," to which Storm responded by telling Al-Sahlani, who was born in Iraq, that she "should go home."
Al-Sahlani officially filed a complaint, emphasizing that MEPs engaging in hate speech violates the code of conduct. Storm, however, denied the comment constituted hate speech, asserting it was not a reference to Al-Sahlani's ethnic background or birthplace. He explained the phrase "go home" was intended to suggest she might have been better off leaving the chamber to reflect rather than accusing opponents of making her feel unsafe.
Al-Sahlani countered that the comment was about racial exclusion, stating she is "home" after fulfilling the "European dream" and was told to "go home" when she disagreed with a far-right politician. A complaint was also filed by the Social Democrats, Renew, Greens, and The Left groups, describing the comments as "racist." Parliament spokesperson Delphine Collard confirmed that the Parliament takes all complaints seriously and that the president "made clear it will be looked into."