French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Virginie Joron is pursuing legal action against several media outlets, alleging the dissemination of false claims that she is on a European Parliament blacklist. Joron, a member of the far-right National Rally party and the Patriots for Europe group, asserts the claims are politically motivated ahead of her mayoral candidacy in Strasbourg. The controversy centers around her past participation in election observation missions in Crimea and Kazakhstan.
Joron announced her intent to file a complaint on X, stating the allegations are “completely false.” According to a statement released by Joron, the President of the European Parliament has confirmed in writing that no such blacklist exists, and she has never been subject to any ban. This confirmation comes as Joron campaigns for the mayoral position in Strasbourg, where the claims could potentially damage her reputation.
The Origin of the European Parliament ‘Blacklist’ Claims
The reports of a blacklist originated with a 2021 article in EUobserver, which detailed sanctions against Joron and seven other MEPs for their involvement in what the publication described as questionable election observation trips. These trips involved observing electoral processes in Crimea, a region annexed by Russia in 2014, and Kazakhstan.
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) identified Joron as participating in Russia’s 2020 constitutional amendment voting, categorizing her and other foreign politicians as politically biased “international experts” rather than independent observers. The EPDE report highlights Russia’s strategy of inviting select foreign politicians to lend legitimacy to its electoral processes, bypassing established international observation standards like those organized by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Participation in Observation Missions
An expense report analyzed by Euronews’ fact-checking team, The Cube, showed that MEP Thierry Mariani participated in election observation missions in Crimea in 2020 and Kazakhstan in 2021, with expenses covered by Russian and Kazakh authorities. While a similar document for Joron could not be found publicly, her presence at the Russian voting event is documented by the EPDE.
France Info reported that the eight MEPs involved faced exclusion from official EU Election Observation Missions (EOMs) and potential suspension. However, the report also noted that this measure was largely symbolic, as EOMs primarily rely on specialized observers.
Was a Formal Blacklist Ever Established?
Despite the reports, sources familiar with European Parliament procedures have stated that no formal blacklist ever existed. The actions taken against the MEPs were not a formal prohibition, but rather a restriction on their participation in official EU-led observation missions. Joron is currently not barred from participating in European Parliament-organized observation missions.
Additionally, Joron was included on a Ukrainian sanctions list in 2021, enacted by presidential decree, due to her visits to Russian-occupied Crimea. This separate sanction was based on Ukrainian national security concerns, according to legal analysts.
The situation underscores the complexities of international election monitoring and the potential for political influence. The debate over the legitimacy of these observation missions and the implications for the MEPs involved continues to unfold.
As Joron pursues legal action, the focus will be on whether the media outlets can substantiate their claims of a blacklist. The outcome of this legal challenge, and the ongoing scrutiny of her past activities, will likely play a significant role in her mayoral campaign and future political career. Voters in Strasbourg will be watching closely as this story develops.
