The possibility of launching criminal proceedings against an MP will still be conditioned by approval from parliament after it rejected a constitutional amendment submitted by Christian Democrat vice-chairman and former Justice Minister Daniel Lipšic on February 10 aimed at narrowing MPs’ immunity, the TASR newswire reported. Lipšic's proposal was supported by 63 out of the 142 MPs present and 90 votes in favour of such a law are required.
Former justice minister Lipsic at the same time proposed that approval from the Constitutional Court should not be necessary in order to launch legal proceedings against a judge or the Prosecutor-General.
“It (immunity) shouldn’t protect MPs and judges from legal proceedings when it comes to matters that aren't related to their parliamentary or judicial activities at all,” said Lipšic during the debate. He stated that he wanted to make judges and MPs more equal with ordinary people, only allowing immunity for voting in parliament, for statements made in parliament, and, in the case of judges, for rulings.
“Protection of civil society from the potential abuse of power would be better ensured this way,” he argued as quoted by TASR, adding that the need for parliamentary approval for remanding an MP or judge in custody would be maintained. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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