Full Breakdown
European Parliament Strips Polish Opposition MEPs of Immunity
10/8/2025, 11:09:42 PM
Overview of the Decision
On October 7, 2025, the European Parliament (EP) voted to lift the legal immunity of two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Poland’s opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, Michal Dworczyk and Daniel Obajtek. This decision allows Polish prosecutors to proceed with criminal charges against them, which stem from alleged abuses of power during their tenures in government.
Allegations Against the MEPs
Michal Dworczyk, who served as the head of the Chancellery for former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, faces accusations related to the misuse of a private email account for official government business. This incident is linked to a significant cyberattack in 2021, which resulted in the hacking and leaking of emails from Dworczyk's private inbox. Prosecutors allege that he failed to fulfill his obligations as a state official and obstructed criminal proceedings by using an unsecured email account for classified communications.
Daniel Obajtek, the former CEO of the state-owned energy company PKN Orlen, is accused of misusing company funds for personal interests and providing false testimony. His alleged misconduct includes using Orlen's resources to finance private investigations. The Polish government has indicated that these actions resulted in significant financial losses for the company, estimated at over €1.2 billion.
Political Context and Reactions
The decision to strip immunity is seen as part of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's broader initiative to hold former PiS officials accountable for alleged misconduct during their time in power from 2015 to 2023. Tusk's coalition government has made it a priority to investigate potential abuses of power by the previous administration. Dworczyk and Obajtek have both denied the allegations, claiming that the EP's actions facilitate political repression by Tusk's government.
Dworczyk criticized the EP, stating that it has shown bias against those not affiliated with the European People’s Party, suggesting that the decision is politically motivated. Similarly, Obajtek accused the EP of undermining democratic values by enabling further political repression against him.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the EP's decision, Dworczyk remarked, “You cannot expect fair treatment if you are not part of the European People’s Party,” indicating his belief that the ruling was influenced by political affiliations. Obajtek echoed this sentiment, stating that the EP's actions make a mockery of its claims to defend human rights and freedoms.
Conversely, Dariusz Jonski, an MEP from Tusk’s Civic Platform party, welcomed the decision, asserting, “If you break the law, you have to answer for it,” highlighting the coalition's commitment to accountability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the EP has lifted the immunity of Dworczyk and Obajtek, the outcomes of the criminal proceedings remain uncertain. Critics argue that the investigations may represent selective justice, while supporters of Tusk's government maintain that accountability is essential for restoring public trust in governance. The EP's role is limited to procedural matters, and it does not adjudicate the substance of the allegations.
What's Next
Following the lifting of immunity, Polish prosecutors are now positioned to bring charges against Dworczyk and Obajtek in domestic courts. The legal proceedings will proceed under Polish law, where the defendants will retain their rights to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The outcomes of these cases will be closely monitored, as they may set precedents for future accountability measures against former officials.
