Polish court clears MEP of 'disobedience' charges

MEPs have welcomed a court ruling allowing the former Solidarity leader and respected Polish MEP Bronislaw Geremek to keep his parliamentary seat.

The political veteran faced the withdrawal of his mandate on the grounds that he had not provided a so-called 'lustration declaration' on the question of collaboration with former communist secret services.

But Poland's constitutional court has now invalidated the recently-introduced law, meaning the Liberal MEP can retain his seat.

ALDE group leader Graham Watson was among those who welcomed the news.

“I am very pleased by the positive outcome in this case," said Watson.

He said the decision means that both Geremek and "many thousands of individual Polish academics, journalists and CEOs" can now get on with their lives and careers "without fear of persecution".

“I salute the courage and independence of the judges in the Polish constitutional court and hope that this marks a turning point in recent anti-democratic measures pursued by the ruling party in Poland," added Watson.

Parliament’s socialist group leader Martin Schulz “warmly welcomed” the ruling.

“I now call upon the Polish government to give up its witch-hunts. In the light of this ruling, the government should consider [Bronislaw] Geremek’s mandate to be untouchable."

Parliament president, Hans-Gert Poettering, described the court ruling as “wise”.

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