Italian MEP Ilaria Salis Fears Political Revenge Ahead of Vote

An impending vote in the European Parliament could have significant implications for Italian MEP Ilaria Salis, who fears that the Hungarian government is seeking “political revenge.” The Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is set to decide on October 3, 2023, whether to lift her political immunity, a move that could reopen a criminal case against her in Hungary.

Salis, 40, was detained in February 2023 during a far-right rally in Budapest, facing charges related to an alleged assault on a far-right activist. She has consistently denied these allegations, asserting they are politically motivated. Images of her in court, appearing in shackles, sparked international outrage and led to a demand from prosecutors for an 11-year prison sentence. Following her election to the European Parliament as a member of Italy’s Greens and Left Alliance, she gained immunity, but this protection could be revoked pending the committee’s decision.

The JURI vote was originally scheduled for June 24, but it was postponed due to procedural issues. The Left group in the parliament indicated that a lack of consensus on the committee, particularly from European People’s Party member Javier Zarzalejos, contributed to the delay. “This shows there’s no consensus in JURI to send a sitting MEP to face a highly politicized trial in Hungary,” the group stated in a note.

If the committee votes to strip Salis of her immunity, the matter will proceed to a full vote among all MEPs, likely to occur in Strasbourg in October. Should the vote favor lifting her immunity, Hungary could issue a European arrest warrant, potentially resulting in her arrest and deportation on the same day.

The upcoming vote also coincides with a decision regarding the immunity of another MEP, Péter Magyar, a former member of the Hungarian government who has become a vocal critic of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This parallel underscores the broader implications of the legislative process for members of the European Parliament.

For EU lawmakers, Tuesday’s vote is about more than Salis’ personal situation; it raises questions about the commitment to parliamentary immunity as a shield against politically motivated prosecutions. Salis emphasized that “parliamentary immunity is governed by treaties drafted years ago by member states that, at the time, shared democratic pillars and the rule of law.” She expressed concern that under Orbán’s leadership, these principles have eroded.

Despite the potential support from hard-right factions, Salis remains hopeful that some centre-right MEPs will recognize the dangers of acquiescing to requests from Hungary. “Even among the right and centre-right, there are those who operate within shared democratic principles,” she stated. “Granting such a request from Orbán’s Hungary would be absolutely unacceptable.”

Salis frames her case within a broader context of intimidation aimed at dissenting voices in Hungary, especially as the country approaches its 2026 elections. She asserted, “There are right-wing forces working to dismantle the European project and the EU itself.”

The circumstances surrounding her detention have drawn significant media attention across Europe. Salis’ father, Roberto Salis, publicly criticized her treatment, calling it “inhumane.” After spending time in a cell described as infested with pests, she was placed under house arrest in May 2023. Shortly after her election to the European Parliament, she was released and returned to Italy.

However, her relief was short-lived. Following a visit by Orbán to the European Parliament in October 2024, Hungarian prosecutors requested the lifting of her immunity, a timing Salis described as suspicious. She remarked, “It’s clear that the justice system is being used for political purposes.”

In the lead-up to the vote, Salis has faced a barrage of threats, including some directed toward her family in Italy. Orbán’s spokesperson, Zoltán Kovács, has been accused of attempting to intimidate her through social media. Salis noted that this campaign against her is not isolated, as members of Italy’s far-right League have engaged in similar tactics.

“This is not a trial aimed at delivering justice,” she insisted. “It is an act of retaliation, a way to create a scapegoat and an enemy.” Salis describes the proceedings as a “show trial” that undermines the principles of a fair judicial process.

As the European Parliament prepares for a critical vote, the implications of Salis’ case on the broader landscape of EU politics and the protection of democratic values remain profound. The outcome will not only affect her future but could also set a precedent for how the European Union engages with member states accused of undermining the rule of law.