David SASSOLI, EP President speaks about the decision of the EU Court of Justice on the Oriol Junqueras case, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

statement

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Spain (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

referendum in Catalonia (T)

Decision of the Court of Justice on the Oriol Junqueras case: extracts from the statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

Title: Decision of the Court of Justice on the Oriol Junqueras case: extracts from the statement by David SASSOLI, EP President 

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Today, the Court of Justice of the EU delivered a judgement in Junqueras Vies Case C-502/19. It is a very important ruling, which has a direct impact on the composition of this institution. We have not wasted any time or keeping you waiting just for the fun of it. The Court has found that the mandate of the parliament is a result of the voter's choice. So the Court declared that a person whose election to the EP has been officially proclaimed by the competent authority of the Member State in which that election took place, acquires as of that time the status of being a Member of the Parliament and therefore enjoys parliamentary immunity pursuant to Article 9 of the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, since the very moment of official proclamation of the results.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, Immunity means that the pre-trial detention that was imposed on the Member should be revoked so as to allow him to go to the European Parliament and carry out the necessary formalities. Therefore, in the case the national competent authority considers that such a measure should be maintained after the subject has become a Member of the European Parliament, that authority then has to immediately request to the EP the waiving of the immunity pursuant to Article 9 of the Protocol. So I call upon the competent Spanish authorities to urge them to comply with the judgement. I requested the Services of the European Parliament to evaluate as soon as possible the possible application of the impacts of this ruling on the composition of our Chamber.