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Lipsic's Amendment Rejected, MPs and Judges Still Enjoy Full Immunity
Wednesday 10 February 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, February 10 (TASR) - The possibility of launching criminal proceedings against an MP will still be conditioned by approval from Parliament after the House on Wednesday rejected a constitutional amendment submitted by Christian Democrat vice-chairman Daniel Lipsic aimed at narrowing MPs' immunity.
Lipsic's proposal was supported by 63 out of the 142 MPs present, while 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," stressed Lipsic during the debate.
Lipsic 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, adding that the need for parliamentary approval for remanding an MP or judge in custody would be maintained.
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