(European Conservative) Earlier this month, members of the right-wing populist ESN group submitted a request to the chair of the EU Parliament’s anti-interference committee, Democracy Shield (EUDS), to hold formal debates on the spread of political and ideological influence by Turkey and Gulf states, primarily Qatar.
The proposed exchanges of views would look into Qatar’s “political, religious, and ideological networks” in the EU, as well as Turkey’s use of its diaspora communities and religious institutions to gain political influence in member states.
The heavy financial involvement of both of these countries was explicitly highlighted in the recent French intelligence report on the Muslim Brotherhood’s attempts to undermine Europe as well, so addressing the issue cannot be more urgent.
