The European Parliament voted on Thursday, March 26th, to strip Polish Member of Parliament Grzegorz Braun of his immunity due to multiple controversial cases.
Braun Stripped of Immunity
Grzegorz Braun lost his parliamentary immunity in connection with two cases: denying the crimes of genocide and the Holocaust, and destroying flags of Ukraine, the EU, and LGBTQ+ communities.
The European Parliament had previously twice revoked Braun’s immunity, once for extinguishing Hanukkah candles in the Sejm and again for violating the bodily integrity of a gynecologist from Oleśnica.
Legal Committee Supports Immunity Waiver
The European Parliament’s legal committee supported the waiver of Grzegorz Braun’s immunity.
On Tuesday, all 19 Eurodeputies participating in the vote within the JURI committee voted in favor of lifting Braun’s immunity. Krzysztof Śmiszek, a Member of the European Parliament from the New Left, stated after the vote that there is no place for antisemitism, racism, or homophobia in the European Parliament.
Political Reactions and Alliances
The Confederation party has distanced itself from Braun’s political methods, but Krzysztof Bosak has stated that a right-wing senate pact makes no sense without him.
Procedural Details of the Vote
The vote on revoking immunity typically takes place at the next plenary session of the European Parliament following votes in JURI. This time, the plenary session was held in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, with all votes, including those regarding immunities, occurring on Thursday.
Denial of Auschwitz Gas Chambers
Braun has repeatedly expressed antisemitic views. On July 10th of last year, he denied the existence of gas chambers in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau during an interview with Radio Wnet.
Braun claimed that official ceremonies in Jedwabne were “an act of anti-Polish, Jewish propaganda with state celebration and police protection.” He also stated that when it is necessary to “throw stones and ritually tear at losses and complain about the lies of the Talmud, Haggadah, Holocaust,” nearly 120 Jewish organizations condemn him as unworthy.
Braun stated, “Who would have thought there were so many? But they all together, in solidarity, B’nai B’rith, Polin and other organizations that present themselves as Jewish, condemn those who speak the truth. That ritual murder is a fact, and let’s say Auschwitz with gas chambers is unfortunately fake. And whoever talks about it is accused of terrible things, slandered and discredited.”