Footage shows Dzhambazki, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group, holding his right arm in front of him for a few seconds before leaving the room. This happened during a debate about the decision of the highest European court to withhold EU subsidies for member states that erode the rule of law. Dzhambazki said strongly that he disagreed.
The move came in for strong criticism from other MEPs. The chairman of the meeting, the Italian Pina Picierno, said he wanted to check with camera images whether Dzhambazki indeed gave the Nazi salute. If so, Picierno said the move should be taken “very seriously” and sanctions could follow.
French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune, who was also present at the debate, spoke of an “excessive and scandalous” move. Roberta Metsola, the new president of the European Parliament, wrote on Twitter that “a fascist salute in the European Parliament is unacceptable, anytime, anywhere.” She argues that the movement offends everyone in Europe.