Right-wing MEPs are under investigation for alleged hate speech following last week’s historic vote on the new Return Regulation, which tightens deportation rules and provides a more effective framework for tackling illegal migration across the European Union.
According to POLITICO Brussels, Danish MEP Kristoffer Storm and Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen have been accused by Valérie Hayer, leader of the liberal Renew Europe group, of engaging in conduct of a ‘racist nature’ directed at Swedish Iraqi Renew MEP Abir Al-Sahlani. Hayer requested an investigation into the incident, arguing that it represented a breach of the European Parliament’s code of conduct and warning against allowing a ‘sense of impunity’ to develop within the institution.
It is now up to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to decide whether the two MEPs should face disciplinary action.
The dispute stems from the aftermath of the European Parliament’s approval of the Return Regulation on 17 June. The legislation was passed by 418 votes to 218, with 30 abstentions, after being backed by a coalition of the European People’s Party (EPP), Patriots for Europe (PfE), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN).
The legislation introduces the toughest deportation framework in EU history, including detention periods of up to 24 months, limits on appeal-based delays to removals, expanded entry bans for those ordered to leave, and the formal authorization of return hubs outside the bloc.
Following the vote, right-wing lawmakers celebrated in the hemicycle by chanting ‘send them back’, referring to illegal migrants and rejected asylum seekers. Opponents of the legislation responded with cries of ‘shame on you’, while several progressive lawmakers condemned the scenes as inappropriate, divisive, and racist.
Among them was Al-Sahlani, who later told fellow lawmakers that she had ‘never felt as unsafe’ in the European Parliament as she did after the vote.
Following the parliamentary vote, Tynkkynen shared a video of Al-Sahlani’s remarks on social media with the caption ‘cry more’. Storm commented on the post, writing that Al-Sahlani—who was born in Iraq before later becoming a Swedish citizen—‘should go home’.
Al-Sahlani filed a formal complaint with Metsola, arguing that the comment constituted hate speech and racial exclusion. Her office stated that MEPs engaging in hate speech against one another was clearly incompatible with the code of conduct signed by all members.
Storm has denied the accusation. Speaking to POLITICO, he rejected claims that the remark referred to Al-Sahlani’s ethnic background, country of birth, or heritage.
‘I will not accept being called a racist by political colleagues, and I take that kind of defamatory allegation very seriously,’ he said.
Storm argued that the phrase ‘go home’ was intended to mean that Al-Sahlani should have left the parliamentary chamber if she found the outcome of the democratic vote and the reactions to it so distressing.
Tynkkynen has also rejected the accusations. Responding on X, the Finnish MEP confirmed that he had shared the video of Al-Sahlani’s remarks but denied engaging in any threatening behaviour.
‘Yes, I posted this video in which @AbirAlsahlani speaks. But I have not threatened her,’ he wrote. ‘Your false claim that I would threaten my colleague will lead to legal action.’
Tynkkynen also criticized Hayer’s complaint for misspelling his surname, adding: ‘One more point: my surname is Tynkkynen, not what you wrote in your letter.’
Al-Sahlani dismissed that explanation, insisting the comment was ‘about racial exclusion’.
‘I am home. I learned the language, studied, worked, paid taxes, became a Swedish citizen, and was elected to the European Parliament,’ she told POLITICO. ‘Yet when I disagreed with a far-right politician, I was told to “go home”.’
According to the report, the Socialists & Democrats, Renew Europe, the Greens, and The Left have also lodged complaints regarding the ‘send them back’ chants, which they characterized as racist.
As President of the Parliament, Metsola is responsible for examining complaints and determining whether disciplinary measures are warranted. Possible sanctions range from a formal reprimand to restrictions on parliamentary activities, suspension of allowances, or limitations on access to certain parliamentary functions. No timetable has yet been announced for a decision.
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