Dutch far-right MEP in hot water after voting for Le Pen

Criticism and calls for sanctions were reported by media sources over an alledged voting fraud at the European Parliament involving Marine Le Pen and Marcel De Graaff, both from the ENF political group.

The possible voting fraud occurred on 28 October 2015 at a plenary voting session in Strasbourg, where votes were carried out in Ms Le Pen's name after official cameras showed her leaving the plenary room. Members of the European Parliament vote either by show of hands, or electronically with a personal card.

The votes were reportedly carried out by her Dutch colleague Marcel de Graff. Ms Le Pen stated to French media he had done so without her consent.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: National Front stung in attempt to ban bee pesticide http://www.europeansources.info/record/far-right-parties-form-group-in-eu-parliament/

BBC News, 28.10.15: France: Marine Le Pen in European Parliament vote row http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34663903

Politico, 28.10.15: Le Pen’s voting habits under scrutiny http://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-national-front-parliament-voting-habits-under-scrutiny-parliament-plenary/

Deutsche Welle, 30.10.15: In European parliament, probe into ghost voting for far-right's Le Pen http://dw.com/p/1Gx5h

DutchNews.nl, 29.10.15: PVV leader in Brussels investigated for voting fraud http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2015/10/pvv-leader-in-brussels-investigated-for-voting-fraud/

ESO: Background information: Le Pen's National Front charged with fraud http://www.europeansources.info/record/le-pens-national-front-charged-with-fraud/

EurActiv, 11.12.15: Marine Le Pen caught in voting fraud scandal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/marine-le-pen-caught-voting-fraud-scandal-320332

EUObserver, 10.12.15: Le Pen to be heard by EU Parliament chief over voting fraud https://euobserver.com/institutional/131480

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