On Wednesday, a Swedish delegation from the Left group in the European Parliament filed a police report against European People’s Party (EPP) MEP Alice Teodorescu Måwe, accusing her of physical assault.
Marie Antman, head of the Swedish Left’s parliamentary office, told Swedish news agency TT that one of her staff members entered her office "in a state of shock," displaying marks on their arm. Antman declined to provide further details but called the incident “exceptional” and “unacceptable.”
“A Swedish MEP physically attacked my colleague. This is extremely upsetting,” Antman said. “My staff member called for help, prompting security to intervene. We have also reported the matter to the President of the Parliament.”
Teodorescu Måwe, however, denies the allegations and claims she was the victim of harassment. According to her office, a staffer from the Left group began photographing and filming her without consent as she walked to a meeting. When she questioned the actions, the staffer allegedly became aggressive and tried to seize her phone, leading to a brief altercation before security intervened.
The European Parliament confirmed the incident is under internal investigation. A spokesperson stated that initial assessments align with Teodorescu Måwe’s account and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward violence within Parliament premises. The altercation was captured on surveillance cameras.
Teodorescu Måwe, a member of Sweden’s Christian Democrats and the EPP, has since returned to Sweden but intends to file a police complaint in Belgium upon her return. She also met with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to request increased security.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions over the Gaza conflict, a topic under debate in the Parliament that day. Teodorescu Måwe, a vocal pro-Israel advocate, recently argued that recognizing Israel’s right to exist should be a prerequisite for Swedish citizenship.
Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch expressed concern over the altercation, writing on X: “No one should have to fear for their safety.” Tomas Tobé, an MEP from Sweden’s Moderate Party, linked the incident to broader concerns over antisemitism within the Left Party.
The case highlights growing anxieties over political polarization and safety within European institutions. Authorities continue to review evidence as both sides present conflicting narratives.