The European Parliament has decided to lift the parliamentary immunity of Jana Nagyová, a Czech MEP. This decision follows a request from the Czech judiciary in the context of criminal proceedings for fraud involving EU subsidies. The case concerns alleged acts committed between 2008 and 2010.
The lifting of immunity is an exceptional procedure governed by the protocol on privileges and immunities of the EU. The objective is to allow national judicial authorities to conduct criminal proceedings while preserving the independence of parliamentary work. Parliament examines whether the prosecution aims to hinder the political activity of the MEP.
The decision takes effect immediately after its adoption on 29 January 2025. The President of Parliament transmits the decision immediately to the High Court in Prague and to Jana Nagyová. The criminal proceedings can thus resume before the Czech judiciary, in accordance with national law.
This decision demonstrates that parliamentary immunity does not provide absolute protection from criminal prosecution. It strengthens citizens' confidence in the balance between protection of parliamentary work and accountability of elected officials. Affected parties can see their rights preserved when the alleged acts are unrelated to the exercise of the mandate.