Greece Seeks Removal of Nikos Papandreou EU Parliament Immunity

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has referred a request from the Greek authorities to lift the parliamentary immunity of Greek MEP Nikos Papandreou to the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI).

Metsola announced the referral at the opening of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.

According to a statement from Papandreou’s office, the European Parliament has begun the formal procedure to examine a request concerning what it describes as an ordinary labour dispute.

“Nikos Papandreou welcomes this procedure and expresses his full confidence in its outcome,” the statement said. It added that, as the matter remains under legal examination, Papandreou would not make further comments at this stage.

Under the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure for the current 10th parliamentary term (2024-2029), the President announces any request to lift an MEP’s immunity during a plenary sitting and refers it to the Legal Affairs Committee.

The committee examines the case behind closed doors and then issues a recommendation to either approve or reject the request.

A decision to lift an MEP’s immunity does not constitute an admission or finding of guilt.

The proposed decision enters the agenda of the first sitting following its submission. Any debate focuses only on the reasons for which the immunity should either remain in place or be lifted.

Following the debate, MEPs vote on the committee’s recommendation by simple majority. The President then immediately communicates the decision to the MEP concerned and to the competent authority of the relevant EU member state.

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