The European Parliament voted on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, during a plenary session in Strasbourg to lift the immunity of Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Grzegorz Braun. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of serious allegations against the Polish politician, including accusations of insulting a group of people on religious grounds and other incidents that have raised significant controversy.
Grzegorz Braun, a member of the right-wing Konfederacja Korony Polskiej party, is under investigation by the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw for extinguishing Hanukkah candles in the Sejm, the Polish parliament, during a ceremony in December 2023. This act, which he carried out using a fire extinguisher, has sparked outrage and led to calls for accountability.
During the same plenary session, the European Parliament also voted to lift the immunity of two other right-wing MEPs from Germany and Lithuania. The decision regarding Braun was made by a decisive majority, reflecting the seriousness with which the allegations against him are being treated.
The motion to lift Braun's immunity specifically pertains to the investigation into the extinguishing of the Hanukkah candles, an act that many have interpreted as a direct affront to the Jewish community. Braun has previously argued that Hanukkah is not a religious celebration but a historical event of a foreign state, a statement that has drawn further criticism.
In addition to the incident involving the Hanukkah candles, Braun faces multiple other allegations. These include blocking a lecture on the Holocaust at the German Historical Institute and removing a Christmas tree adorned with LGBT symbols from a Krakow court, an act he reportedly discarded in a trash bin. Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar stated that Braun is facing charges related to a total of seven offenses, which include accusations of various forms of hooliganism and insults to individuals.
On April 16, 2025, Braun allegedly attempted to perform a "citizen's arrest" on gynecologist Gizela Jagielska at a hospital in Oleśnica, where she had conducted a late-term abortion due to the patient’s mental health issues. This incident has also prompted legal scrutiny as Braun's actions reportedly interfered with the doctor’s ability to care for her patients.
The prosecutor's office is also investigating Braun’s statements made during a presidential debate on April 28, 2025. These statements included remarks that have been interpreted as inciting hatred against Jews, which has drawn additional legal attention.
Moreover, another investigation is ongoing regarding an incident at Braun's election meeting on April 30, 2025, in Biała Podlaska, where he allegedly ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the city hall building. Braun argued that the flag was displayed illegally and should only be displayed during visits from foreign dignitaries.
Since his election to the European Parliament in June 2024, Braun's political career has been marred by controversies. He was previously removed from the Konfederacja party in January 2025 and is currently excluded from European Parliament proceedings due to his disruptive behavior during discussions about gender and his actions during the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Minister Bodnar has emphasized that Braun's actions will not go unpunished, stating, "Grzegorz Braun's excesses will not remain unpunished." He detailed that the motion to lift Braun's immunity has been filed to facilitate the prosecution of seven different offenses. These include charges of violating bodily integrity and insulting a public official, specifically a doctor at the National Institute of Cardiology.
It is important to note that the lifting of an MEP's immunity does not imply guilt. It merely allows national authorities to proceed with investigations and potential prosecutions. The European Parliament's decision opens the door for Polish authorities to move forward with legal proceedings against Braun.
In addition to Braun, the European Parliament is also reviewing requests to lift the immunity of other Polish MEPs, including Michał Dworczyk and Daniel Obajtek, amid ongoing scrutiny of the actions of members from the ruling Law and Justice party.
In the past, the European Parliament has lifted the immunities of other Polish MEPs, including Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik, as well as Adam Bielan, head of the PiS delegation in the European Parliament. The process reflects a growing trend of accountability among European lawmakers.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these legal challenges will impact Braun's political aspirations, particularly as he is also a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections. The allegations against him and the recent decision by the European Parliament could significantly influence public perception and voter sentiment.
The lifting of Braun's immunity is a significant step in the ongoing investigation and reflects the European Parliament's commitment to upholding standards of conduct among its members. It serves as a reminder that elected officials are not above the law and must be held accountable for their actions.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Braun's case will likely continue to draw attention, not only within Poland but across Europe, as it raises important questions about political accountability, freedom of speech, and the limits of acceptable behavior in public office.
In light of these developments, the European Parliament's actions will be closely monitored, as they may set precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially impacting the political landscape in Poland and beyond.
