Far right MP faces parliament ban for breaking code of conduct

Thierry Baudet in 2020. Photo: Rickazio via Wikimedia Commons
Thierry Baudet in 2020. Photo: Rickazio via Wikimedia Commons

Far right MP Thierry Baudet faces a seven day ban on talking part in parliamentary debates because of his refusal to list his work for a publishing company in the register of members’ interests.

Parliament’s integrity committee has recommended the ban, which would not prevent Baudet from voting, because he is breaking MPs code of conduct by refusing to comply. MPs will vote on the proposal next Tuesday.

The row centres on Amsterdam Media Group BV, a publishing company which produces Baudet’s books. Two other Forum voor Democratie MPs face censure for also refusing to register their membership of the company’s board.

Baudet faces a more serious sanction because he was earlier censured for refusing to declare income generated by his other activities, including from the sale of his books and speaking engagements.

The code of conduct was introduced last year after the Council of Europe criticized the lack of formal rules covering the integrity of MPs in the Netherlands.

Baudet has also been in the spotlight this week for saying in an English language interview that he hoped Russia would win the war in Ukraine and that it is ‘fantastic’ someone like Putin exists.

‘It is one of the most hopeful things in the world today,’ he told conspiracy theorist website Operation People. ‘The best thing would be if the EU would fall apart, if Nato would fall apart and the US empire would fall apart.’

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