European MPs fined for Nazi salutes
October 27, 2015
The European Parliament sanctioned two right-wing MEPs on Tuesday for evoking Nazi Germany and making offensive comments and gestures.
Janusz Korwin-Mikke, of Poland's Congress of the New Right, and Gianluca Buonanno, of Italy's Lega Nord, each received a ten-day suspension and a fine of 3,060 euros ($3,340).
The incidents that led to the sanctions occurred separately.
In July, while members of the parliament were discussing the possibility of introducing EU-wide train tickets, Korwin-Mikke gave the Nazi salute and said, "This time it is ein Reich, ein Volk, ein Ticket" - a riff on a common Nazi slogan. He had also reportedly referred to migrants as "human garbage" earlier in the year.
On October 6, Buonanno was seen in parliament wearing a shirt combining the faces of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Adolf Hitler. The following day, during a joint speech given by Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, Buonanno wore a fake mustache reminiscent of Hitler and gave the Nazi salute.
In September, the Italian politician wore a mask of Merkel during a speech delivered by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
The sanctions will be implemented starting on Tuesday.
rs, blc/bw (dpa, AP, AFP)