European Parliament Rejects Hungary's Request to Lift Ilaria Salis's Immunity

European Parliament Upholds Salis's Immunity in Close Vote

Strasbourg, France – The European Parliament on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, voted to maintain the parliamentary immunity of Italian MEP Ilaria Salis, rejecting a request from Hungary to lift it. The decision came after a tense secret ballot, with 306 votes in favor of upholding immunity, 305 against, and 17 abstentions, marking a narrow victory for Salis.

Salis, a member of the Green and Left Alliance, was elected to the European Parliament in June 2024, granting her legal protection. She had been facing charges in Hungary related to alleged assaults on neo-Nazi militants during a far-right event in Budapest in February 2023.

Background to the Charges and Detention

Hungarian authorities accused Ilaria Salis of three counts of attempted assault and being part of an extreme left-wing organization. Prosecutors in Hungary had sought an 11-year prison sentence for the former primary school teacher. Salis has consistently denied the charges, claiming she is being persecuted for her political beliefs.

Her case garnered international attention due to her prolonged pre-trial detention in Hungary, which lasted over a year. Reports highlighted harsh conditions, including her appearance in a Budapest courtroom shackled at the hands and feet, which drew protests from the Italian government.

Reactions and Political Implications

Following the vote, Ilaria Salis issued a statement, calling the decision 'a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and anti-fascism.' She reiterated her desire for the trial to be held in Italy, stating that 'you cannot get fair trials in Hungary either against anti-fascists or against any political opponents.'

The Hungarian government expressed strong disapproval of the European Parliament's decision. Hungarian Government Spokesman Zoltán Kovács accused Salis of 'acting like you are some sort of victim' and asserted that she was arrested for 'armed assault on innocent Hungarian citizens.' Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reportedly referred to Salis as 'a member of a terrorist group protected by Brussels.' The vote revealed deep divisions within the European Parliament, with applause from the left and criticism from some on the far-right who accused the center-right European People's Party (EPP) of 'supporting far-left terrorists.'

Parliamentary Precedent and Future Steps

The European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) had previously recommended maintaining Salis's immunity by a narrow margin of 13 votes to 12. While parliamentary immunity is intended to protect MEPs in the performance of their duties, the alleged crimes in Salis's case occurred before her election to the European Parliament. Despite the immunity, the trial itself is suspended for the duration of her mandate, and Hungarian authorities could potentially request its revocation again.

In related decisions on the same day, the European Parliament also rejected requests to lift the immunity of Hungarian MEPs Péter Magyar and Klára Dobrev, further highlighting concerns among EU lawmakers regarding judicial independence in Hungary.