by Franco Stefanoni
The question and answer during the plenary session of the European Parliament. In the words of the proRussian Donato, who is also calling for an independent investigation, Picierno warns: «What you say is unacceptable. This house is not the same distance away if you decide”
Clash in Strasbourg between former Lega MEP Francesca Donato and EU Parliament VicePresident Pina Picierno from the Democratic Party, who led the debate on last March’s EU Council conclusions on the war in Ukraine. Donato, already known for his proRussian positions (as well as no vax and no green passport), in his speech questioned the veracity of the Bucha massacre and accused Kyiv of being neither “democratic nor peaceful” towards Ukraine Preconflict Russianspeaking population. Picierno blamed the MEP’s words, replying: “This Chamber must by no means become a megaphone for positions that are totally unacceptable. The Bucha massacre is visible to all.
But Donato, who left the league over his critical positions on vaccines and voted against the European Parliament’s March 1 resolution against Russian aggression, went on voting the day of Zelenskyy’s speech at the extraordinary plenary: “Demand Russia’s unconditional withdrawal is one.” purely verbal, unrealistic and pleonastic exercise. And I remember that given the prewar massacres in Donbass, Ukraine was not exactly peaceful, nor was it democratic towards the Russianspeaking population. The sanctions have had no effect, today I hear the proposal for a total embargo on Russian gas, which is unsustainable, based on the facts reported by the government from Bucha, but there are already strong doubts about its correctness. We should launch an independent investigation to verify actual responsibility. The EU should regain a role of impartiality and objectivity.
For his part, Picierno reacted to Donato’s words: “The Bucha massacre, Mr. Donato, is visible to everyone. And we cannot accept, let me make that very clear, that this too is being called into question. The massacres of innocent civilians that are taking place in these minutes, these hours, are for all to see, and in this Parliament it is unacceptable that this can be questioned. This house is not the same distance away: there is an aggressor, Putin, and an attacked one, these are the citizens of Ukraine who are defending this house and the European institutions. Get a reason.
Then Donato clarified: «I did not deny the facts of Bucha. At the end of my speech, Picierno responded irritably to my words, with a tone totally inappropriate for the role he was playing. Today we have seen a truly humiliating page for what should be the symbolic institution of European democracy ». It added: “An MP’s right to speak and freedom of expression in the exercise of his office are denied by the President during the debate in the Chamber, thereby denying the very essence of the debate. Really a very serious fact, as well as a bad show for citizens who believe in democracy ».
April 6, 2022 (change April 6, 2022 | 13:18)
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