⚖️🇪🇺 CJEU annuls European Parliament's immunity withdrawals for Puigdemont and others

Oneliner

The CJEU has annulled the European Parliament's 2021 decision to lift the immunity of Carles Puigdemont, Toni Comín, and Clara Ponsatí, citing impartiality concerns regarding the rapporteur's appointment. The ruling, issued on 5 February 2026, highlights procedural flaws linked to the Vox party, which initiated criminal proceedings against the politicians. While the ruling reinstates their immunity, it has no practical effect as none currently hold MEP status. The European Parliament is ordered to cover the legal costs incurred by the three during the proceedings.

Key points

• The CJEU annulled the European Parliament's 2021 decision to lift immunity for Puigdemont, Comín, and Ponsatí due to impartiality concerns.
• The ruling highlights procedural flaws in the appointment of the rapporteur linked to the Vox party, which initiated criminal proceedings against the politicians.
• While the ruling reinstates their immunity, it has no practical effect as none currently hold MEP status.
• The European Parliament is ordered to cover the legal costs incurred by the three politicians during the proceedings.

Links

• Cadena SER: La Justicia europea anula las decisiones del Parlamento Europeo de suspender la inmunidad de Puigdemont, Comín y Ponsatí
• El País: El TJUE anula la decisión del Parlamento Europeo que levantó la inmunidad de Puigdemont
• El Mundo: El TJUE anula la decisión del Parlamento Europeo de retirar la inmunidad a Puigdemont
• RTVE: El Tribunal de Justicia de la UE anula la decisión del Parlamento Europeo de retirar la inmunidad a Puigdemont
• EFE: La justicia europea anula la decisión de la Eurocámara de retirar la inmunidad a Puigdemont - EFE
• elDiario: El TJUE tumba la retirada de la inmunidad de Puigdemont de 2021 porque la propuso un diputado del grupo de Vox
• ANSA: La Corte Ue annulla la revoca dell'immunità del catalano Puigdemont - Altre news - Ansa.it
• ABC: El TJUE anula la suspensión de inmunidad de Puigdemont por parte del Parlamento Europeo
• Europa Press: El TJUE tumba la decisión de la Eurocámara de suspender la inmunidad de Puigdemont
• 20minutos: El TJUE da la razón a Puigdemont y anula la decisión del Parlamento Europeo de retirarle la inmunidad
• Politico: EU top court annuls Parliament's decision to strip Catalan separatist MEPs' immunity

Facts

• CJEU ruling issued on 5 February 2026.
• The rapporteur, Angel Dzhambazki, is affiliated with the ECR group, which includes Vox.
• The European Parliament's decision to lift immunity was made in 2021.
• None of the three politicians currently hold MEP status.
• The European Parliament is ordered to pay the legal costs of the three politicians.

Quotes

• The appointment of the rapporteur was contrary to the requirement of impartiality — CJEU ruling.
• The General Court erred in declaring that the rapporteur's political affiliation was irrelevant — CJEU judges.

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