Peticija adresuota: Cabinetul Metsola

EN

We want the President of the European Parliament and the entire Metsola cabinet to reject the request of the Prosecutor General of Romania regarding the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of MEP Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă due to her political expression during her mandate.

At a time when democratic values are under increasing pressure from multiple directions, parliamentary immunity remains a fundamental safeguard for those courageous voices elected to represent the people.
MEP and lawyer Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă has demonstrated the determination and courage to speak on behalf of the people within the European Parliament. She is a staunch advocate for truth and for the rights of both her electorate and those who, for political, economic, or other reasons, do not dare to speak out themselves. For this reason, it is imperative that she remains protected under the institution of parliamentary immunity, as enshrined in Article 72(1) of the Romanian Constitution:
"Deputies and Senators shall not be held legally accountable for the votes cast or for the political opinions expressed while exercising their mandate."
Any request to lift immunity in such a context sets a dangerous precedent—one that could affect any politician who dares to voice inconvenient truths or challenge the status quo.
The respect for democratic principles and civil rights is not a privilege of those in power, but a cornerstone of the pluralist political system that the European Union is built upon. Moreover, every politician is, first and foremost, a human being who, under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
This right is further affirmed in Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union:
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.
(2) The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected.
The request made by the Romanian Prosecutor General lacks evidence that Ms. Diana Iovanovici Șoșoacă has violated any laws in a manner falling outside the scope of her parliamentary role. According to Article 72(b) of the Romanian Constitution:
"Deputies and Senators may be criminally investigated and prosecuted for acts that have no connection with votes cast or political opinions expressed while exercising their mandate."
Thus, the current action seeking to lift her immunity for political statements represents a severe breach of both national and European legal frameworks, and risks being perceived more as a political maneuver than a legitimate legal procedure.
Both the European and national parliaments must stand as guardians of these fundamental principles and unequivocally reject any form of political intimidation or abuse. Recent statistics raise serious concerns, showing an increasing number of elected officials being subjected to investigations or external pressures, which erodes public trust in democratic institutions.
Domestically, members of Ms. Șoșoacă’s political party, S.O.S. Romania, are reportedly facing undue pressure in a manner incompatible with the rule of law, including investigations and even acts of violence allegedly perpetrated by corrupt state institutions.
Therefore, the lifting of parliamentary immunity for any Member of Parliament based on political speech is not only a grave injustice—it sends a dangerous signal of democratic vulnerability to all of us.