The Strasbourg plenary session approved by secret ballot the immunity of Avs MEP Ilaria Salis .
The MEP is safe by just one vote: 306 voted in favor of immunity, 305 against, and 17 abstained . One hundred were absent.
Kisses, hugs, and even a bouquet of flowers for Salis—this was how her colleagues celebrated the MEP immediately after the plenary vote.
"We are all anti-fascists," wrote Ilaria Salis on social media, posting a photo of herself exulting after the European Parliament vote.
He then commented: " This vote is a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and anti-fascism. This decision proves that resistance works. It shows that when elected officials, activists, and citizens stand together to defend democratic values, authoritarian forces can be confronted and defeated. The fight is far from over. Threats remain, and continuing the fight is essential. All anti-fascist activists targeted for challenging authoritarianism and fascist forces must be defended."
Matteo Salvini didn't take it well, attacking even some of his allies without naming names: "Accused of aggravated assault with potentially lethal force and other criminal conduct in conjunction with others, within a criminal organization. But with the trick of a secret ballot, requested by left-wing groups, even someone who calls himself 'center-right' voted to save Ms. Salis from trial. Shame! "
"I am happy that the principles of the rule of law prevailed today in the European Parliament. In Hungary, Salis would not have received a fair trial , and this vote has an important role in defending democracy. And if, in the secrecy of the ballot box, as it appears, several MEPs from the European People's Party or Forza Italia voted in favor, that's a good thing, it means that not everyone is willing to be constantly dragged away from the principles of the rule of law by the autocratic propaganda of Orbán and his political allies ," commented Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein.
It should be noted that the EU Commission has opened infringement proceedings against Hungary and blocked certain funding for violations of human rights and standards of justice and due process . For this reason, even several MEPs far from Salis, despite the alleged crime having been committed before the election, voted in favor of immunity.
(Unioneonline/L)
