European Parliament backs call for EU-wide strategy on Muslim Brotherhood networks

The European Parliament on Thursday backed a resolution calling for a coordinated European Union strategy to address the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood network, strengthen scrutiny of its financing and assess whether individuals or entities linked to the movement meet the criteria for inclusion on the bloc’s terrorist list.

The resolution passed with 381 votes in favour, 167 against and 15 abstentions, according to French media reports. It calls for greater cooperation among EU member states and institutions to identify networks, trace funding and examine potential links between organisations operating across Europe.

The vote does not amount to a formal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. The resolution expresses Parliament’s political position and calls for further action, but does not itself impose a ban, introduce new offences or trigger sanctions.

Under the EU’s existing framework, adding an organisation or individual to the bloc’s terrorist list requires a decision by the Council of the European Union and a prior decision by a competent national or third-country authority concerning an investigation, prosecution or conviction linked to terrorist acts.

The initiative follows pressure from French lawmakers, who have called for an EU-level assessment of the Muslim Brotherhood’s activities and stronger checks on funding. The resolution also calls for closer cooperation among member states and European law enforcement and judicial agencies, including Europol and Eurojust.

The debate has also drawn criticism from lawmakers who warn against conflating political Islam, Muslim organisations and terrorism. Some opponents argue that broad or unclear definitions of “Islamist entryism” risk stigmatising Muslim communities and civil society organisations.

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