Orbán government fails in European Parliament – Salis remains protected

Members of the European Parliament (EP) on the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) have voted against waiving the immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis, whose extradition is being sought by Hungary, reports Politico.

Salis, a member of a left-wing party, was arrested in Budapest in 2023 in connection with an incident during an anti-fascist demonstration.

She claims that the allegations are politically motivated and that the proceedings she faces in Hungary are unfair.

The vote in JURI was close: 13 MEPs voted against waiving immunity, 12 in favor. With this decision, the European Parliament has taken a stand against Viktor Orbán's government, whose actions have been widely criticized as undermining the rule of law in Hungary.

Salis would rather face trial in Italy and described the attempt to waive her immunity as political revenge.

Adrián Vázquez, a leading representative of the EPP, warned that not waiving immunity could expose Parliament to legal risk.

The allegations relate to actions committed before her election to the European Parliament.

However, some EPP MEPs broke with the party line and voted with the left to maintain immunity.

(sie)