The European Parliament voted on September 15, 2026, to lift the immunity of Greek MEP and leader of the “Voice of Reason” party Afroditi Latinopoulou, allowing legal proceedings in Greece over allegations involving her party’s founding signatures to move forward.
The decision removes parliamentary protection for the proceedings covered by the request. It is not a finding of guilt and does not automatically end her term as a member of the European Parliament, or MEP.
What the Signature Case Concerns
The case centers on complaints about signatures submitted when Latinopoulou’s political party, Voice of Reason, known in Greek as Foni Logikis, was established. The complaints allege that some signatures in its founding documents were fictitious or forged. Whether those allegations are substantiated is a matter for the Greek judicial authorities, not the European Parliament.
Latinopoulou had publicly requested the lifting of her immunity months before the vote. In a January 15, 2026, letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, published on her party’s website, she expressed confidence that an impartial judicial examination would establish her innocence. She also said she did not want parliamentary immunity to stand in the way of judicial scrutiny.
How Parliament Reached Its Decision
Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee considered the request before it reached the full chamber. The committee voted on September 7 and submitted its report two days later. Parliament adopted its decision on September 15, completing the immunity procedure.
This process determines whether parliamentary immunity should prevent particular legal proceedings from advancing. It does not replace an investigation or trial, nor does it authorize Parliament to decide whether the underlying allegations are true.
What Changes After the Waiver
Parliamentary immunity is intended to safeguard lawmakers’ independence and protect the institution from arbitrary legal action. It is not a personal exemption from accountability. A waiver allows national authorities to proceed with the investigation or trial covered by the request.
Latinopoulou does not lose her parliamentary seat as a result of this decision. If a conviction follows, any consequences for her mandate would be determined by the relevant national authorities under the applicable rules.
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