European Parliament Urged Designation of Muslim Brotherhood
The assembly voted in favor of a resolution calling for the European Union to label the group as a terrorist entity.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Terrorism
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Should the European Union designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization?
The European Parliament has approved a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to officially designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Proponents argue that the network uses infiltration within public institutions and civil society to undermine democratic values.
Why it matters
Lawmakers contend that this step is necessary to protect the union from what they describe as systematic Islamist infiltration. The resolution now moves to the European Council, which will evaluate the measure for potential implementation.
The resolution passed with 381 votes in favor, 167 against, and 15 abstentions. The European Council must now consider the non-binding proposal to determine if it will be implemented.
The players
European Parliament
This is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union that represents the interests of citizens across member states.
European People's Party
This center-right political group within the European Parliament was responsible for drafting the resolution.
European Council
This institutional body is composed of the heads of state or government of the European Union member states and defines the general political direction of the union.
Muslim Brotherhood
This transnational Islamist organization maintains branches globally and has been the subject of varying terror designations by international governments.
The details
Drafted by the European People's Party, the resolution calls for a unified strategy across member states to better identify and mitigate signs of Islamist influence. The proposal follows a debate regarding the methods used by the organization to infiltrate public institutions.
Timeline
The European Parliament held a debate on the issue on Wednesday.
The parliament voted on the resolution on Thursday.
Legal Context
This move follows a historical pattern established by the Trump administration, which previously designated specific branches of the organization in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terror entities. The resolution aligns with international debates regarding how democratic institutions manage extremist organizational influence.
The potential designation may lead to new security protocols and oversight measures regarding organizations operating within public institutions and civil society. Residents and local businesses may see increased scrutiny of groups linked to the network as member states align their policies with the union's stance.
The takeaway
This vote marks a significant shift in the European Union's approach to managing internal influence from international Islamist organizations. Organizations and citizens should monitor the European Council for potential future policy implementation regarding these groups.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of international security policies in the Terrorism section.
Live Poll
Should the European Union designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization?
