Several MEPs and social media users have falsely claimed that "claqueurs" were brought in to support Germany's former Chancellor Angela Merkel, as she received the European Order of Merit award at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
This newly created prize aims to honour individuals who have contributed to "European integration", along with the values enshrined in the EU treaties, according to the European Parliament.
But several MEPs alleged that the additional non-MEP attendees in the chamber were "extras", "random types" or "claqueurs", while others suggested the applause had been staged while Merkel received the "European Order of Merit."
What really happened?
Footage from the ceremony shows that seats typically occupied by Patriots for Europe remained largely empty during parts of the event. This is because several lawmakers from the far-right Patriots for Europe group boycotted the event.
