Strasbourg/Brussels – The possibility of lifting the parliamentary immunity of Harald Vilimsky, the leader of the FPÖ delegation in the EU Parliament, has emerged again. Austrian authorities have submitted a request for this action, which has been referred to the Legal Affairs Committee, as announced by President Roberta Metsola prior to the start of the voting in the EU Parliament’s last plenary week in Strasbourg.
In response to inquiries from APA, the European Parliament refrained from providing further details about the announcement, noting that the Austrian authorities are responsible and have been asked for a statement. According to Vilimsky, the request stems from the construction of a security entrance door to his private apartment 13 years ago, which was financed by the party due to a threat to his safety.
Vilimsky, in a written statement to APA, explained: “Around 13 years ago, the Freedom Party parliamentary club was alerted by police that my private address was circulating among members of the violent Black Block, responsible for the riots against the then Academic Ball. Following an analysis by the criminal police advisory service, it was concluded that the entrance door was a security vulnerability.”
The FPÖ covered the expenses for the security door
At that time, as he had “a minor child at home,” he requested that his party fund the installation of a security door, which they agreed to do. Now, 13 years later, there will be an evaluation to determine if he received any undue advantage from this action. Vilimsky did not disclose who initiated the review but expressed confidence that the accusation could be easily clarified and resolved, citing past threats against him that were officially reported and documented.
The last time the EU Parliament considered a “request for the lifting of Harald Vilimsky’s immunity” was in November 2021, following a request from the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning allegations of embezzlement and misuse of funds. (10.07.2025)
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