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European Parliament Calls for Strategy to Counter Muslim Brotherhood Networks
The European Parliament has backed a resolution calling for a European strategy to address what it described as Islamist penetration and the influence of Muslim Brotherhood networks within European institutions and societies. The resolution passed with 381 votes in favour, 167 against and 15 abstentions.
The significance of the resolution extends beyond political condemnation. It calls on member states to strengthen oversight of funding and institutional partnerships, and to review the access that organisations linked to these networks may have to European institutions and resources. This could lead to closer scrutiny of cross-border networks, their sources of funding, and any links to activities that might meet the legal criteria for inclusion on terrorism lists.
If the legal process ultimately results in specific entities or individuals being added to the European Union’s terrorist list, possible measures could include freezing their assets, barring them from receiving funds or economic resources, and strengthening security and judicial cooperation concerning their activities.
Support for the resolution was not limited to right-wing parties; it also received backing from members of the European People’s Party and liberal groups. Groups of Socialists, Greens and the Left opposed it. The vote reflects growing parliamentary support for closer scrutiny of networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, while disagreements remain over the scope of any measures and how they might affect civil liberties.
