Politics · France · 7 hrs ago
Sarah Knafo defends her decision to sit with far-right German party
French MEP Sarah Knafo remains in a European Parliament group that includes Germany’s AfD, a far-right party.
Knafo, a member of France’s Reconquête party and partner of Éric Zemmour, joined the Europe of Sovereign Nations group after her election to the European Parliament in 2024.
The group has 27 members, 15 of them from the AfD, whose rise in German regional elections has drawn attention across Europe.
Some AfD politicians have faced criticism for remarks that play down Nazi crimes; one, Björn Höcke, was convicted for using a banned Nazi-era slogan.
Knafo says she will not leave the group because of other members’ statements, rejecting what she calls guilt by association.
A European Parliament watchdog has raised concerns about four group members’ respect for human dignity and minority rights.
Knafo says she disagrees with some colleagues but does not feel responsible for their remarks; the sources do not say what action, if any, the watchdog will take next.
France TV’s programme Complément d'enquête examined Sarah Knafo’s rise in French politics, her public image and her campaign spending.
The report traced her path from working on Éric Zemmour’s 2022 presidential campaign to becoming a Reconquête member of the European Parliament in 2024.
It also questioned her decision to sit with the European Parliament group Europe of Sovereign Nations, which includes 15 AfD members among its 27 members.
Knafo said she rejects judging people by association and does not consider the AfD a neo-Nazi party.
The programme raised questions about some invoices from the 2024 European election campaign and a grant for an association she founded.
- Who
- Sarah Knafo, a Reconquête member of the European Parliament and Éric Zemmour’s partner.
- What
- Complément d'enquête investigated her political rise, links with the Europe of Sovereign Nations group and campaign spending.
- When
- The programme was scheduled to air on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- France; the report also discussed Knafo’s work in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
- Why
- The programme examined her growing political profile and raised questions about her political alliances and spending.
Sarah Knafo
Critics and the European Parliament authority cited in the report
Political association
Sarah Knafo
Knafo said she rejects “diabolisation par association” and does not consider the AfD a neo-Nazi party.
Critics and the European Parliament authority cited in the report
Critics point to AfD members’ statements that relativise Nazi crimes; an independent authority identified four ENS members over respect for human dignity and minority rights.
Campaign spending
Sarah Knafo
Not stated.
Critics and the European Parliament authority cited in the report
Complément d'enquête said some invoices from the 2024 European election campaign raised questions.
Knafo directed Éric Zemmour’s presidential campaign.
Knafo became the only Reconquête member elected to the European Parliament and joined the Europe of Sovereign Nations group.
Zemmour announced he would run for president, according to France TV.
France 2’s Complément d'enquête presented its report on Knafo.
- European Parliament group
- Europe of Sovereign Nations
- ENS membership
- 27 members, including 15 from the AfD
- European Parliament election
- Knafo elected in 2024
- Book sales
- Le Casse du siècle had sold more than 200,000 copies according to France TV; franceinfo reported more than 300,000
- Programme
- Complément d'enquête
- Broadcast date
- 22 October 2026
5 sources
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Sarah Knafo : Zemmour, gloire et plan B en replay - Complément d'enquête
"Une séductrice au profil radical" : Complément d’enquête dévoile ...
What people are saying
refuse la diabolisation par association
Au sein des groupes européens, on peut se retrouver à siéger avec des partis dont certains individus peuvent avoir cité des propos dans lesquels je ne me reconnais pas, avec lesquels je suis en désaccord, qui peuvent me sembler choquants, contraires à l'intérêt français
Posts on X
📸Les images exclusives de Sarah Knafo avec les Jeunes UMP 👉Avant de devenir la figure de proue de Reconquête, la jeune Sarah Knafo 18 ans a soutenu Nicolas Sarkozy lors de la présidentielle 2012.