Sanctions demanded after MEP's Nazi salute in Strasbourg

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) Thursday called for sanctions against Polish right-wing MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke who made a "Hitler salute" to the European Parliament (EP) here this week.

The act by Korwin-Mikke provoked outrage among parliamentarians who demanded a response from EP President Martin Schulz, himself a German.

Elected in May 2014, the Polish MEP sits among non-aligned members. Although he has the privilege of parliamentary immunity, his behavior could still cost him several thousand euros.

During a debate on single ticketing of public transport in the EU, Korwin-Mikke proclaimed "Ein Reich, ein Volk, ein ticket." During the Nazi period in Germany, one of the most common slogans used by Hitler supporters was "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuehrer ("One People, One Empire, One Leader).

Korwin-Mikke said he meant simply to express opposition to the creation of a valid EU-wide train ticket.

"We hear all the time the Parliament has to defend diversity," he said in his 22nd speech before accusing the other members present. "You are not for diversity, you are for unification," he added, before concluding his speech with an imitation of a Hitler salute.

The 72-year-old MEP, founder and leader of the Congress of the New Right, has previously been sanctioned by the president of the Parliament.

In 2014, Korwin-Mikke was fined more than 3,000 euros (3,303 U.S. dollars) by Schulz for having "expressed himself in a racist manner."

During a speech on youth unemployment, Korwin-Mikke compared EU employment policy to that of John F. Kennedy's administration, concluding that "we have 20 million Europeans who are now the negroes of Europe." Endit