Romanian MEP Diana Șoșoacă, known for her ultra-right and anti-Ukrainian stance, was removed from a European Parliament session due to her scandalous behaviour during a debate on the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission.
The incident, reported by G4Media, occurred during a plenary session. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for Șoșoacă’s removal after she attempted to interrupt a speech by Valérie Hayer, an MEP from the “Renew Europe” group.
“How many colleagues does it take to remove you from the hall? I think you have said enough,” Metsola remarked in response to Șoșoacă’s outbursts.
Following this, Șoșoacă was escorted out of the plenary chamber amidst applause from her fellow MEPs.
Continued Disruption
Even after being removed from the chamber, Șoșoacă continued to cause a commotion in the corridors, shouting while holding an icon. She accused Ursula von der Leyen of being a “murderer” after being expelled from the session.
De weggestuurde Europarlementariër Diana Iovanovici-Șoșoacă is van S.O.S. Roemenië. Ze is woest: “Von der Leyen is een crimineel” pic.twitter.com/LHD4IUROgz
— Alexander Bakker (@alexanderbakker) July 18, 2024
Prior to the session, Șoșoacă had pledged to bring a priest to the European Parliament to “exorcise the devils” from the institution. In her first speech after being elected to the European Parliament, she criticised Ukraine, alleging discrimination against the Romanian minority, claiming they were denied the right to speak their native language.
Controversial Background
Diana Șoșoacă, a 48-year-old lawyer and member of the Romanian Senate, has become one of Romania’s most prominent and controversial politicians. Known for her staunch anti-vaccine stance and dramatic public actions, Șoșoacă has used her platform to spread vaccine misinformation, drawing significant attention both online and offline.
Her behaviour has sparked considerable controversy in Romania, leading to calls for mental health evaluations of parliamentarians following her scandalous performances. Șoșoacă’s actions and remarks have frequently drawn criticism, further polarising opinions within political circles and among the public.
Șoșoacă has led numerous protests against COVID-19 restrictions, positioning herself as a key figure in Romania’s anti-vaccine movement. Her social media presence is extensive, with millions of reactions and shares, particularly from viral videos in which she denounces vaccinations. Despite the severe impact of COVID-19 in Romania, with over 1.7 million cases and 50,700 deaths, she continues to challenge public health measures.
In her first speech to Parliament on Wednesday, Diana Șoșoacă, who has faced criticism for her connections to Moscow, lambasted the European Union for allegedly damaging Romania by supporting Ukraine. She called for an immediate stop to the supply of weapons to Kyiv.
“You have ruined Romania; all our roads are in disrepair, and Romanians are impoverished from continuously aiding Ukrainians,” she stated. Șoșoacă also mentioned that she had engaged in discussions with Moscow to end the war, claiming that Russia was “the only party interested in pursuing peace.”
European Parliament’s Response
The European Parliament has strict rules governing the conduct of its members to ensure orderly and respectful debate. President Metsola’s decision to expel Șoșoacă demonstrates the institution’s commitment to maintaining these standards. The episode highlights the challenges faced by parliamentary leaders in managing disruptive members and preserving the integrity of legislative discussions.
Șoșoacă’s accusations against von der Leyen and her inflammatory remarks about Ukraine are likely to exacerbate existing political tensions. The European Parliament, as a forum for diverse political opinions, often witnesses heated debates, but the line between passionate advocacy and disruptive behaviour must be carefully managed.
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