Quote from Alex bobby on May 23, 2025, 4:20 AM

Clash in the Corridors: Swedish MEP Accused of Assault Amid Conflicting Claims at European Parliament

A tense physical altercation in the corridors of the European Parliament has ignited a storm of controversy, with conflicting accounts emerging from both sides of the political aisle. On Wednesday, Swedish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Alice Teodorescu Måwe of the European People’s Party (EPP) was accused of physically assaulting a parliamentary staffer from the Swedish Left delegation. The incident, which allegedly occurred within the Parliament’s premises, has now prompted a formal police complaint and is the subject of an internal investigation.

The Allegation: Assault in the Parliament

Marie Antman, head of the Swedish Left’s parliamentary office, confirmed to Swedish news agency TT that a formal police report had been filed, alleging that a Swedish MEP physically assaulted one of their staffers. According to Antman, the alleged victim entered the office visibly shaken and had physical marks on their arm, suggesting some level of violence had occurred.

"A Swedish MEP had physically attacked my colleague. This is extremely upsetting,” Antman said. “It was a situation where my staff member called for help, prompting security guards to intervene and calm things down. We have also reported the incident to the President of the Parliament.”

She declined to elaborate further on the specifics of the altercation but described the event as both “exceptional” and “unacceptable,” emphasising that such incidents undermine the professional and respectful environment that the European Parliament is meant to uphold.

The Defense: Teodorescu Måwe Denies Claims

In a strongly worded rebuttal, Teodorescu Måwe denied the allegations, claiming instead that she was the one who had been harassed. According to a statement released by her political party, the Swedish Christian Democrats, Teodorescu Måwe was “harassed by an aggressive political staffer” while on her way to a scheduled meeting.

The statement explains that the confrontation began when the staffer started filming and taking photos off the MEP without her consent. When Teodorescu Måwe questioned the staffer’s behaviour, the situation escalated. In response, she attempted to document the encounter herself using her phone, prompting the staffer to allegedly attempt to snatch her device, leading to a physical altercation.

Her office claimed that Teodorescu Måwe was “deeply distressed” by the encounter and has since returned to Sweden. She has met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to request formal protection. Her team confirmed she intends to file her own police report with Belgian authorities upon her return to Brussels.

Parliament Responds: Investigation Underway

The European Parliament has since confirmed that the incident is being taken seriously and is under internal investigation. An official spokesperson stated that surveillance footage from the scene has been reviewed and, based on an initial assessment, it supports Teodorescu Måwe’s account of the event.

“The situation is being investigated as a matter of priority and the initial assessment confirms the MEP’s version of events. There is a zero-tolerance policy for violence on Parliament premises. The relevant services are mobilised. Assistance to the Member is also in place,” the spokesperson said.

While the surveillance footage has not been publicly released, the Parliament’s confirmation of its existence suggests that more clarity may soon emerge regarding what actually transpired.

A Broader Tension?

This incident comes at a time of growing political tension in Europe, where confrontations between ideological rivals are increasingly spilling beyond debate chambers and into personal and confrontational territory. While physical altercations in the Parliament are exceedingly rare, this episode underscores the mounting stress and partisanship within European politics.

It also raises questions about the safety of staff and elected officials in what should be a professional workplace. If the allegations against either party are proven true, it could lead to disciplinary action, potential legal consequences, and a broader discussion on codes of conduct and security within the EU's legislative body.

What Comes Next?

With both sides vowing to pursue legal action and the European Parliament conducting its own investigation, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the facts. For now, the political fallout is likely to reverberate across party lines, particularly in Sweden, where both the Christian Democrats and the Left Party may find themselves under increased public scrutiny.

Euronews has reached out to the offices of both Alice Teodorescu Måwe and the Swedish Left delegation for additional comments. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, potentially changing the narrative or solidifying existing claims.

Regardless of the outcome, this incident has already sparked a larger debate about accountability, professional conduct, and personal boundaries in European political spaces.

Conclusion

The physical altercation involving Swedish MEP Alice Teodorescu Måwe and a parliamentary staffer has cast a shadow over the European Parliament, raising serious questions about conduct, accountability, and safety within one of Europe’s highest institutions. With conflicting accounts and formal police reports filed by both parties, the truth now rests in the hands of internal investigators and law enforcement authorities. As the Parliament reviews surveillance footage and interviews witnesses, the incident highlights the growing tensions in European politics and the urgent need for clear protocols to handle such disputes. Regardless of the investigation’s outcome, this episode serves as a stark reminder that mutual respect and professionalism must remain at the core of democratic institutions.