Decision
Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts
- Effect
- Adopted
- Result
- 502 for · 2 against · 59 abstained roll call
- Date
- 12 February 2026, 12:17–12:18
- Kind
- Resolution
More facts (9)
- Margin
- by an overwhelming majority
- Dossier
- 2026/2613(RSP)
- Source
- Motion for a resolution
- Topics
- Foreign affairs Assigned by a model, not checked by hand.
- Votes
- 15 votes · 2 roll calls · 1 amendment
- Requested by
- Greens (1 separate vote) · Renew (1 roll call) · ESN (1 roll call)
- Sitting
- Thursday 12 February 2026
- Final vote
- 185292
Result
The final vote and what it means for this kind of decision.
Final vote: 502 for, 2 against, 59 abstained (roll call).
Adopted by an overwhelming majority.
Parliament adopted the text as its official position.
Before the final vote, MEPs decided on 1 amendment (1 rejected) and 6 parts of the text voted on separately (3 adopted, 2 rejected, 1 lapsed). 7 alternative motions lapsed once the text was adopted.
Backed by The Left, S&D, Renew, EPP, ECR, Patriots and ESN; Greens mostly abstained.
Groups
| Group | For | Against | Abst. | No vote | Majority line | Clear line | Cohesion | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Left | For 18 | Against 1 | Abst. 17 | No vote 10 of 46 | Majority line For | Clear line Divided | Cohesion 0.25 | |
| Greens | For 18 | Against 0 | Abst. 22 | No vote 13 of 53 | Majority line Abstained | Clear line Divided | Cohesion 0.33 | |
| S&D | For 107 | Against 0 | Abst. 0 | No vote 29 of 136 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 1.00 | |
| Renew | For 60 | Against 0 | Abst. 1 | No vote 14 of 75 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 0.98 | |
| EPP | For 146 | Against 0 | Abst. 0 | No vote 41 of 187 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 1.00 | |
| ECR | For 63 | Against 0 | Abst. 0 | No vote 16 of 79 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 1.00 | |
| Patriots | For 53 | Against 0 | Abst. 7 | No vote 24 of 84 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 0.82 | |
| ESN | For 19 | Against 0 | Abst. 6 | No vote 2 of 27 | Majority line For | Clear line For | Cohesion 0.64 | |
| No group | For 18 | Against 1 | Abst. 6 | No vote 7 of 32 | Majority line — | Clear line No line | Cohesion — |
Members who changed group are counted in the group of the day: Branko GRIMS changed group, Elena YONCHEVA changed group, Elisabetta GUALMINI changed group, Ewa ZAJĄCZKOWSKA-HERNIK changed group, Jessika VAN LEEUWEN changed group, Lukas SIEPER changed group, Nikola BARTŮŠEK changed group, Nikolas FARANTOURIS changed group, Pina PICIERNO changed group, Roberto VANNACCI changed group, Sander SMIT changed group, Taner KABILOV changed group.
Voted against their group, 14
Members who voted otherwise than a clear line (at least two thirds of the votes cast, at least 10 members voting) of the group they sat in that day. A group without a clear line is divided and not counted.
Renew line For · 1 abstained of 61 who voted
Abstained (1)
- Ilhan KYUCHYUK Bulgaria
Patriots line For · 7 abstained of 60 who voted
Abstained (7)
- Anders VISTISEN Denmark
- Anna BRYŁKA Poland
- Elisabeth DIERINGER Austria
- Gerald HAUSER Austria
- Harald VILIMSKY Austria
- Roman HAIDER Austria
- Tomasz BUCZEK Poland
ESN line For · 6 abstained of 25 who voted
Abstained (6)
- Ewa ZAJĄCZKOWSKA-HERNIK Poland
- Marcin SYPNIEWSKI Poland
- Petar VOLGIN Bulgaria
- Siegbert Frank DROESE Germany
- Stanisław TYSZKA Poland
- Tomasz FROELICH Germany
Countries
The final vote by national delegation.
Votes by country (27 delegations)
| Country | For | Against | Abst. | No vote | Cohesion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 9 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0.46 |
| Belgium | 14 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0.74 |
| Bulgaria | 10 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0.65 |
| Cyprus | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Czechia | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.84 |
| Germany | 67 | 0 | 9 | 20 | 0.82 |
| Denmark | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.90 |
| Estonia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Spain | 43 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0.79 |
| Finland | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0.85 |
| France | 52 | 0 | 10 | 19 | 0.76 |
| Greece | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.00 |
| Croatia | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.86 |
| Hungary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | — |
| Ireland | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.88 |
| Italy | 52 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 0.92 |
| Lithuania | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — |
| Luxembourg | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| Latvia | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — |
| Malta | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Netherlands | 25 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0.79 |
| Poland | 41 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0.84 |
| Portugal | 15 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.82 |
| Romania | 23 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1.00 |
| Sweden | 18 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1.00 |
| Slovenia | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| Slovakia | 7 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0.55 |
Members
Each member’s recorded position on the final roll call, in the group they sat in that day. Filter by country, group, position or name.
Debate speakers and how they voted
| Member | Group | Speeches | Spoke | Final vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonella SBERNA Italy | ECR | Speeches1 | 12 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | No vote recorded |
| Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS Spain | EPP | Speeches2 | 11 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | For |
| Costas MAVRIDES Cyprus | S&D | Speeches1 | 11 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | For |
| Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS Lithuania | Renew | Speeches1 | 11 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | For |
| Tomasz FROELICH Germany | ESN | Speeches1 | 11 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | Abstained |
| Evin INCIR Sweden | S&D | Speeches1 | 11 Feb 2026 (verbatim report, official site) | For |
Show the other 12 speakers
All votes on this decision, 15
| No. | Vote | Recorded | Result | Requested by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vote on text inserted after paragraph 1 | Show of hands | Rejected | |
| 2 | Vote on text inserted after paragraph 2 | Counted | 320 for, 220 against, 31 abstained Adopted | |
| 3 | Vote on text inserted after paragraph 7 | Show of hands | Rejected |
Show the other 14 votesShow the other 12 votes
| No. | Vote | Recorded | Result | Requested by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Vote on text inserted after paragraph 2 | Counted | 320 for, 220 against, 31 abstained Adopted | |
| 3 | Vote on text inserted after paragraph 7 | Show of hands | Rejected |
| No. | Vote | Recorded | Result | Requested by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Amendment 3 to recital D RC-B10-0120/2026 – Recital D – Am 3 | Roll call | 175 for, 377 against, 16 abstained Rejected | Requested byroll call: ESN |
| 5 | Separate vote on recital D | Counted | 304 for, 253 against, 11 abstained Adopted | Requested byseparate: Greens |
| 6 | Separate vote on recital D | Show of hands | Lapsed | Requested byseparate: Greens |
| 7 | Vote on text inserted after recital F | Counted | 314 for, 246 against, 8 abstained Adopted | |
| 8 | Final vote — text as a whole RC-B10-0120/2026 – Motion for a resolution (as a whole) | Roll call | 502 for, 2 against, 59 abstained Adopted | Requested byroll call: Renew |
| 9 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0111/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 10 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0118/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 11 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0120/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 12 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0127/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 13 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0129/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 14 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0131/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed | |
| 15 | Alternative motion for a resolution B10-0134/2026 | Show of hands | Lapsed |
Roll calls requested by Renew, ESN · separate votes by Greens.
Text
The text voted on.
AI: What this vote decides Written by AI from the official text — check the source
Parliament adopted a resolution on the expulsion of foreign journalists and Christians from Türkiye on national security grounds.
The text calls on Türkiye to halt deportation proceedings against Iranian journalist Kaveh Taheri and to stop using security codes against foreign nationals without transparent justification.
It also asks the Commission to raise these cases with Turkish authorities and affirms support for freedom of religion.
AI: The text in short Written by AI from the official text — check the source
This resolution addresses the expulsion of foreign journalists and Christians from Türkiye under national security pretexts. It calls on Türkiye to halt deportation proceedings against Kaveh Taheri and to stop using security codes against foreign nationals without transparent justification.
Dossier
Where the dossier stands and its other decisions in plenary.
2026/2613(RSP) · Resolution on a topical subject
Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts
Parliament adopted the text on 12 February 2026. This is its final position on the matter.
Show the 3 steps of the dossier
- Tabled for plenary (done)
- Plenary vote · Adopted 12 February 2026 (done)
- Parliament’s position · Final (done)
Connections
What this decision touches: the procedural chain, the same text, running issues, votes that split the chamber the same way.
Show 12 connections: Running issue: Türkiye · Running issue: Religious freedom
Running issue: Türkiye
- Issue Türkiye Running issue · Country situation 17 Jun 2026
- Decision 2025 Commission report on Türkiye Resolution · report by Nacho Sánchez Amor 17 Jun 2026 Adopted
- Decision Detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus Resolution · motion for a resolution 11 Sept 2025 Adopted
- Decision 2023 and 2024 reports on Türkiye Resolution · report by Nacho Sánchez Amor 7 May 2025 Adopted
- Decision Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye Resolution · motion for a resolution 13 Feb 2025 Adopted
- Decision The case of Bülent Mumay in Türkiye Resolution · motion for a resolution 10 Oct 2024 Adopted
Running issue: Religious freedom
- Issue Religious freedom Running issue · EU initiative 9 Jul 2026
- Decision The abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan Resolution · motion for a resolution 9 Jul 2026 Adopted
- Decision Ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria, notably the Kawel village massacre Resolution · motion for a resolution 9 Jul 2026 Adopted
- Decision Escalating repression of the Baha’is in Iran Resolution · motion for a resolution 27 Nov 2025 Adopted
- Decision Urgent need to protect religious minorities in Syria following the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus Resolution · motion for a resolution 10 Jul 2025 Adopted
- Decision Violations of religious freedom in Tibet Resolution · motion for a resolution 8 May 2025 Adopted
Sources & citation
Where the facts on this page come from, and how to cite it.
- Official sources
- Data source
- Licensed CC BY 4.0.
- Retrieved
- 25 September 2026
Cite as
European Parliament (2026). “Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts”. Decision, 12 February 2026. votingId 185292, document B-10-2026-0134, reference 2026/2613(RSP). EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/decisions/2026-02-12/4 (retrieved 25 September 2026). Official sources: Roll-call votes, sitting of 12 February 2026 (European Parliament), https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2026-02-12-RCV_EN.html; Results of votes, sitting of 12 February 2026 (European Parliament), https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2026-02-12-VOT_EN.html. Data: EP Open Data API: decisions of the sitting MTG-PL-2026-02-12, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/api/v2/meetings/MTG-PL-2026-02-12/decisions?format=application%2Fld%2Bjson (CC BY 4.0).
BibTeX
@misc{epw-decision-2026-02-12-4,
author = {{European Parliament}},
title = {{Targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts}},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-02-12},
howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/decisions/2026-02-12/4}},
url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/decisions/2026-02-12/4},
urldate = {2026-09-25},
publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
note = {Decision. votingId 185292, document B-10-2026-0134, reference 2026/2613(RSP). Official source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2026-02-12-RCV\_EN.html, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2026-02-12-VOT\_EN.html. Data: EP Open Data API: decisions of the sitting MTG-PL-2026-02-12 (CC BY 4.0)}
}