Full Breakdown
European Parliament Calls for EU Strategy Against Muslim Brotherhood Influence
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Resolution Adopted on 8 October
The measure passed with 381 votes in favour, 167 against and 15 abstentions, drawing support from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the Patriots for Europe (PfE), the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) and a majority of the liberal-centrist Renew Europe group. The text calls on EU member states to develop a joint approach to identify and counter “Islamist infiltration,” to end EU funding for organisations linked to the Brotherhood, and to assess whether individuals and groups associated with the network should be placed on the EU terrorist list. It also urges national bans on full-face veils such as burkas and niqabs.
Background and Context
Concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood’s presence in Europe have risen in recent years. A French interior-ministerial report released in 2025 highlighted the Brotherhood’s organisational networks in France, prompting the French National Assembly in early 2026 to call for an EU terrorist designation. The EPP adopted its own resolution on political Islam in mid-year, laying groundwork for the 8 October vote. Outside the EU, the Trump administration designated several Brotherhood-linked branches in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist entities, while Qatar and Turkey have so far avoided such designations.
Data and Statistics
- Vote tally: 381 for, 167 against, 15 abstentions.
- Support from Renew Europe: 62 of the 67 members voted for the resolution.
- The resolution names the European Forum of Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) for scrutiny.
Official Statements and Responses
Celine Imart (EPP) argued that Europe must separate religious faith from political Islam and warned against funding Islamist groups. Nicolas Bay (ECR) said the Parliament had finally recognised the need to investigate networks behind seemingly ordinary NGOs. Susanna Ceccardi (PfE) described the vote as evidence that Europe is “waking up” to the threat of Islamist entryism. The resolution also requests the European Commission to produce an overview of EU funding awarded to entities suspected of Brotherhood ties and calls for tighter oversight of foreign financing, particularly from Qatar and Turkey.
Criticism and Opposition
Left-wing MEP Chloé Ridel (Socialist) condemned the resolution as an “outlet for identity obsessions” and accused right-wing lawmakers of stoking fear. The European Network Against Racism labelled the measure “racist and Islamophobic.” FEMYSO rejected the allegations of Brotherhood connections and argued that anti-racism organisations should not be subjected to such scrutiny. Critics warn the resolution could blur the line between legitimate civic engagement and alleged extremist activity.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The resolution notes that there is no unified stance among EU member states on how to treat the Brotherhood and that the European Council, not the Parliament, will decide on any terrorist-list designation. Analysts say evidence linking many civil-society groups to extremist agendas remains contested, and the resolution does not define clear criteria for distinguishing peaceful Muslim activity from “Islamist infiltration.”
What’s Next
The resolution now proceeds to the European Council for consideration. The Parliament also asked the European Commission to deliver a detailed report on EU funding to suspected Brotherhood-linked entities and to enhance cooperation with Europol and Eurojust in tracing influence networks. Further debates are expected as member states assess the recommendation and determine whether to amend the EU terrorist-list criteria.