On 6 May 2025, the European Parliament voted to waive the parliamentary immunity of Petras Gražulis, a Lithuanian MEP. This decision allows the Lithuanian judicial authorities to pursue criminal proceedings against him. The Parliament did not consider this to be an attempt at political persecution.
Petras Gražulis, elected as an MEP in 2024, is the subject of a request for waiver of immunity from the Lithuanian authorities. This request concerns facts prior to his European mandate, for which criminal proceedings are ongoing in Lithuania. In accordance with the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure, the Committee on Legal Affairs examined the request and concluded that there was no fumus persecutionis (indication of political persecution).
By a show of hands (without individual count), the European Parliament adopted the report by rapporteur Pascale Piera (Renew Europe, France) and decided to waive the immunity of Petras Gražulis. In practical terms, this means that the Lithuanian authorities can now initiate or continue criminal proceedings against him for the facts covered by the request. The MEP retains his mandate, but no longer benefits from protection against prosecution for these specific facts.
The vote took place on 6 May 2025, by a show of hands, without a roll-call vote. The text was adopted, but the exact number of votes in favour, against and abstentions was not recorded. The decision is therefore validated.
This decision shows that the European Parliament ensures that its members are not above national laws. Parliamentary immunity protects MEPs from abusive prosecution, but it is not absolute: when a request for waiver is deemed justified and non-political, Parliament grants it. For citizens, this is a guarantee that European elected representatives remain subject to the justice of their country of origin, in respect of the rule of law.