Polish MEP Grzegorz Braun Loses Immunity After Alleged Crimes

The European Parliament, in its 2024‑2029 term, decided on 26 March 2026 to waive the parliamentary immunity of MEP Grzegorz Braun, a Polish member elected in June 2024.

The waiver was requested by the Polish Prosecutor General on 16 July 2025 after the Regional Public Prosecutor of Warsaw‑Praga filed a case against Braun for several alleged crimes committed in 2025:

• 30 April 2025 – Biała Podlaska: Braun and another person allegedly stole a Ukrainian flag from the city hall balcony, an offence under Polish Criminal Code article 278(3a).
• 6 May 2025 – Katowice: Braun and another person allegedly stole an EU flag from the Ministry of Industry lobby, also under article 278(3a).
• 11 June 2025 – Warsaw: Braun allegedly destroyed ten coloured boards in an LGBTQ+ exhibition in the Sejm lobby, an offence under article 288(1).
• 28 April 2025 – Warsaw: Braun allegedly made defamatory remarks about the Museum of the History of Polish Jews (POLIN) on live TV, an offence under article 212(2).

The Parliament noted that these alleged offences are unrelated to Braun’s parliamentary duties and that no evidence shows the legal action is aimed at undermining his political activity. Under EU protocol, parliamentary immunity protects MPs only for actions performed in the course of their duties; it is not a personal privilege. Because no “fumus persecutionis” (evidence of political persecution) was found, the Parliament concluded that the immunity could be waived.

The decision instructs the Parliament’s President to send the waiver and the committee report immediately to the Polish authorities and to Braun.

Broader Context

Members of the European Parliament have a special protection called parliamentary immunity. It exists to make sure politicians can speak and act freely in their role without fear of political pressure or unfair legal action.

However, this protection is limited. It only applies to actions directly connected to their official duties (like speeches, votes, or reports). If a politician is suspected of breaking the law outside of that role, national authorities can ask the Parliament to lift (waive) their immunity.

In this case, the Parliament decided the alleged actions of Grzegorz Braun were not part of his work as an MEP. It also checked for “fumus persecutionis” — meaning signs that the case might be politically motivated — and found none. This is why the immunity was waived.

Impact on EU Citizens

For people living in the EU, this decision shows that:

• Politicians are not above the law and can be investigated and prosecuted like anyone else if their actions are unrelated to their job.
• There are safeguards to prevent abuse of the legal system against politicians, but these are carefully checked before immunity is lifted.
• The system aims to balance two things: protecting democracy (by shielding political work) and ensuring accountability (by allowing legal action when appropriate).

In practice, this does not directly change daily life for most citizens, but it reinforces trust that public officials can be held responsible for their actions under the law.