Slovak MEP's dove release in EU Parliament sparks debate on peace

During his speech in the plenary hall, Slovak MEP Miroslav Radacovsky symbolically appealed for peace in Europe by releasing a dove he had secretly brought in a bag.

The Slovak deputy began his address by mentioning it was his final performance in the European Parliament as his 5-year term was approaching. With upcoming elections set to choose new representatives from European Union countries, Radacovsky aimed to conclude his tenure memorably.

In a surprising moment, he took out a white dove from a bag hidden under his jacket and let it go. The bird flew several meters before settling on the lectern behind him. As Radacovsky attempted to recapture the dove, it flew away into the assembly hall.

"In today's last plenary session, I wanted to emphasize the need for peace in Europe, peace in Ukraine, and peace worldwide. This gesture sparked a lot of positive feedback. Let this peace dove symbolize our hope for peace across Europe," the MEP shared on Facebook after the event.

However, not all members appreciated Radacovsky's action. - He treated an animal as a mere prop for his peace statement, having concealed it in a pouch - critiqued Caroline Roose, a French MEP representing the Greens. - I find this utterly inappropriate - she expressed.

In his social media update, Radacovsky assured that the dove was well-trained and safely retrieved after the incident.

Source: Reuters, The Guardian