European Parliament Votes on Immunity for MEPs Amid Controversy

The European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs is poised to vote today on whether to lift the immunity of five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), a decision that could significantly impact their legal standing. Among those under scrutiny are Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar and Italian left-wing politician Ilaria Salis. The outcome of this vote will have implications for ongoing legal proceedings against these lawmakers in their respective countries.

The vote will be conducted in secret among the 25 members of the JURI Committee, who will assess seven requests for stripping immunity. Following this, the full Parliament will convene in a plenary session to confirm or reverse the committee’s recommendations. If immunity is lifted, national authorities can pursue legal action against the MEPs while they continue to hold their parliamentary seats.

Three of the immunity requests originate from the Hungarian judiciary, targeting Peter Magyar, the founder of the opposition Tisza Party. Magyar faces allegations of theft and defamation, including an incident where he allegedly threw a man’s phone into the Danube River during a confrontation in Budapest. Additionally, he is accused of defamation by former Hungarian Parliament member György Simonka, as well as a case initiated by the far-right Our Homeland Movement. Magyar, who claims these accusations are politically motivated, argues that his history as a lawyer with a clean record supports his case.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, many observers believe that Magyar is likely to retain his immunity. As a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in the Parliament, he is expected to receive support from various political factions, including the Socialists, Democrats, Renew Europe, and the Greens/EFA.

Ilaria Salis, however, faces a more precarious situation. In February 2023, she was arrested in Budapest during an anti-fascist demonstration, accused of assaulting two far-right activists. Salis, a former teacher and human rights advocate, spent over 15 months in pre-trial detention, claiming that she endured severe mistreatment and human rights violations. Her detention sparked outrage in Italy, prompting diplomatic discussions between the Italian government and Hungary.

After her election to the European Parliament in June 2024, Salis regained her freedom through parliamentary immunity. However, Hungarian authorities have since requested that her immunity be lifted to proceed with her trial. Salis has expressed fears that, if detained again, she would face a biased judicial process. “In Budapest, I would face a show trial, without the most basic democratic safeguards,” she stated, underscoring the potential for severe consequences should her immunity be waived.

In addition to Magyar and Salis, Klára Dobrev, a Socialist MEP from Hungary, is also under investigation. Dobrev faces allegations of public defamation related to comments she made regarding a local official’s involvement in a scandal that led to the resignation of President Katalin Novák and Justice Minister Judit Varga. Dobrev’s case has been pending for over a year, with the Hungarian judiciary pushing for the lifting of her immunity.

Polish MEPs Michał Dworczyk and Daniel Obajtek, both members of the conservative Law and Justice party, are similarly claiming that the requests to remove their immunity are politically motivated. Dworczyk, who was previously the victim of a cyberattack, has been accused of failing to act in the public interest during the incident. Meanwhile, Obajtek faces allegations of giving false testimony and unlawfully restricting the distribution of a left-wing magazine.

Dworczyk has argued that the charges against him reflect political retribution, stating, “It’s hard not to call this political revenge.” Obajtek echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the prosecution is retaliatory, particularly due to his stance against offending religious sentiments.

As the vote approaches, the political implications of these immunity requests are profound, with Hungary’s judiciary under scrutiny for its independence. MEP Tineke Strik of the Greens/EFA group has voiced concerns, stating, “The rule of law is not respected at all in Hungary. Judicial bodies are totally captured by political power.”

The outcome of today’s vote will not only determine the legal fate of these MEPs but may also reflect broader tensions regarding judicial independence and political motivations within the EU member states. The European Parliament’s decision will be closely monitored as it unfolds.