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Failure to update its website just cost the extreme-right Identity and Democracy Party €47,000.
The Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations slapped the EU-level umbrella party of Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini, Alternative for Germany, and Belgium’s Vlaams Belang with a penalty of 5 percent of its annual budget for providing incorrect information about a board member.
The authority, which ensures that the 10 European political parties follow the rules, is charged with imposing sanctions when parties “intentionally provide incorrect information,” said its director, Pascal Schonard, in a statement on Thursday.
According to the authority, Identity and Democracy (ID) announced it had updated details on its board members in March 2022. However, it continued to refer to a former board member, whose name is redacted in the decision, in social media communications and on its website.
ID first blamed tech problems for leaving the old name on the website, then told the authority the person’s name had been removed — even though it was still on their social media posts.
After ID said it would not be taking down the inaccurate social media posts, the Brussels-based authority issued the sanction on Wednesday.
ID officials did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
