When the final vote was read out in Strasbourg on October 7, 2024, the silence in the chamber lasted three seconds—then erupted into murmurs. Ilaria Salis, a 40-year-old Italian teacher and anti-fascist activist, had just been saved by a single vote. The European Parliament rejected Hungary’s request to lift her parliamentary immunity by a razor-thin margin: 306 to 305, with 17 abstentions. Her release from house arrest in Budapest two days earlier had been a relief. This vote made it permanent—for now.
A Nightmare Finally Over
Salis, from Monza in northern Italy, was arrested in Hungary in February 2023 after a demonstration turned violent. Hungarian authorities accused her of participating in an assault on far-right demonstrators, charging her with attempted assault and ties to an extremist left-wing group. Images of her, shackled and visibly shaken, circulated across Italian media, sparking public outrage. Rome intervened diplomatically, and by May 2024, she was moved from jail to house arrest. Then came the election: in June 2024, she won more than 170,000 votes as a candidate for the Green and Left Alliance (AVS), automatically securing immunity under EU law. Her father, Roberto Salis, drove her back to Italy on October 5, telling reporters: “A nightmare is over.”The Vote That Split Europe
Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had long demanded that Salis face trial. Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács called her “a violent Antifa criminal” who “randomly attacked and severely beat people.” He claimed she was part of a broader campaign to smear Israel, even alleging she accused Greta Thunberg of being tortured—a claim widely dismissed as absurd. But the vote wasn’t just about Salis. It was a referendum on how the EU treats its own rules. The Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) had recommended lifting immunity, but the full Parliament overruled it. The deciding factor? A single vote. One EPP member’s electronic card malfunctioned, prompting Hungary to demand a redo. The European Parliament president refused. Kovács called it “Brussels’ ‘rule of law’ in practice”—a biting critique of what he sees as elite hypocrisy.The Rapporteur’s Regret
Even within the Parliament, the decision wasn’t unanimous. Adrián Vázquez Lázara, the Spanish MEP and rapporteur on Salis’ case from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), admitted publicly that defending her immunity had been “a mistake.” He warned that Hungary could still take the case to the European Court of Justice—and might win. Without the 190 EPP members who voted to protect her, Salis would have been extradited. Her survival hinged on the left’s mobilization and a handful of EPP rebels who sided with civil liberties over political expediency.Italy vs. Hungary: A Diplomatic Fracture
The tension spilled into bilateral relations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confronted Orbán directly. According to sources, Orbán assured her: “I promise that fair treatment will be provided, that all rights will be guaranteed.” He added, “Prosecutors in Hungary belong to parliament, not the government—I can’t interfere.” The statement rang hollow to many. In Italy, Salis is seen as a victim of political persecution. In Hungary, she’s a symbol of what Orbán calls “the radical left’s war on order.” The Left group in the European Parliament celebrated with a press conference titled “Ilaria Salis 1: Orbán 0.” Critics, like journalist Javier Villamor, called it “shameless political point-scoring.” But the symbolism was undeniable: a lone teacher from Monza had become a lightning rod for Europe’s deepest ideological rifts.What Happens Next?
Salis is safe—for now. But the case isn’t closed. Hungary has vowed to pursue legal action in the European Court of Justice. If they succeed, immunity could be revoked retroactively, and Salis could face up to 11 years in prison. Meanwhile, her parliamentary term runs until 2029. She has already returned to teaching in Monza, though she remains under police protection. The vote also exposed a chilling reality: in the EU’s most sacred institutions, one vote can decide whether someone faces prison—or freedom. And in a time when democratic norms are under pressure from both populist leaders and activist movements, that single vote may be the most dangerous weapon of all.Background: The Demonstration That Changed Everything
The incident in Budapest on February 18, 2023, occurred during a rally organized by far-right groups protesting immigration and “gender ideology.” Salis, who had been documenting the event as an activist, was captured on video near a scuffle. Hungarian prosecutors argued she joined a group that targeted individuals based on political affiliation. No one was seriously injured, but the footage was edited and amplified by state-aligned media. No independent forensic analysis has been made public. Salis has consistently denied any violence, claiming she was there to protect vulnerable protesters from police aggression.Why This Matters Beyond One Woman
This isn’t just about Ilaria Salis. It’s about whether elected officials can be targeted for their political views—even when they’re legally protected. If Hungary wins in the European Court of Justice, it sets a precedent: MEPs could be stripped of immunity based on politically motivated charges. That would undermine the entire foundation of transnational parliamentary representation. And if the EU fails to defend its own rules, what’s left of its claim to be a union of shared values?Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ilaria Salis granted parliamentary immunity?
Salis was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in June 2024 with over 170,000 votes, which automatically grants immunity under Article 9 of the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the EU. This immunity protects MEPs from prosecution for acts related to their mandate, including political speech and assembly. It doesn’t erase charges, but it blocks extradition or trial without Parliament’s consent.
Could Hungary still prosecute Ilaria Salis in the future?
Yes. Hungary plans to challenge the decision in the European Court of Justice, arguing that Salis’ actions were criminal, not political. If the court rules that her alleged assault falls outside parliamentary immunity, her protection could be revoked retroactively. That would open the door to prosecution and a potential 11-year sentence.
What role did the European People’s Party play in the vote?
The EPP, with 190 members, was expected to support Hungary’s request. But at least 20 EPP members broke ranks and voted to preserve immunity, citing rule-of-law concerns. Their defection, combined with strong left-wing bloc voting, tipped the balance. Spanish MEP Adrián Vázquez Lázara, the case rapporteur, later called the decision a mistake—highlighting deep internal divisions.
Why did Hungary demand a re-vote?
Hungary claimed one EPP member’s electronic voting card malfunctioned, potentially altering the outcome. But the European Parliament president refused, citing procedural rules that prohibit re-votes unless there’s evidence of fraud or technical failure affecting the result. The refusal, while legally sound, fueled Hungarian accusations of institutional bias.
Is Ilaria Salis considered a political prisoner by international observers?
Several human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised concerns about the timing and nature of her detention, noting that she was held for 15 months before being elected. While they haven’t formally labeled her a political prisoner, they’ve criticized Hungary’s use of the justice system to target political opponents under vague charges of extremism.
How does this case reflect broader EU tensions?
The vote exposed the EU’s struggle between enforcing rule of law and respecting national sovereignty. Hungary, accused of democratic backsliding, sees Salis as a symbol of radical leftism. The Parliament, meanwhile, fears setting a precedent where member states can weaponize legal systems against elected opponents. The single-vote margin shows how fragile consensus has become—and how easily norms can unravel.
