MEPs show solidarity for Geremek

MEPs from four of the European Parliament’s five biggest groups have pledged to defend Polish Liberal MEP Bronislaw Geremek against attempts to strip him of his mandate.

The centre-right, socialist, liberal, far-left and Green groups promised to protect Geremek as Poland’s electoral commission has announced that he was disqualified from being an MEP after he refused to submit a declaration saying that he had not co-operated with communist-era secret services.

Requiring public office holders to make such a declaration is part of the Polish government’s lustration law, which is seen as an attempt to get rid of opponents to the government of the Kaczy´nski twins.

Geremek said that he refused to submit a declaration as a "personal protest" against the law which, he said, "violates moral laws, threatens freedom of speech, media freedom and the autonomy of universities". The MEP, a former foreign minister, said that he had submitted a declaration saying he had not collaborated with the secret police when he stood as an MEP in 2004.

Green/EFA leader Daniel Cohn-Bendit said that all political parties should unite to fight what he called "Stalinist and fascist methods".

Geremek’s case prompted angry scenes in the Parliament with MEPs from Poland’s ruling Justice and Law party protesting loudly that they were not allowed to speak in support of the law. Geremek’s case will be referred to the legal affairs committee, which is expected to defend his rights to remain as an MEP.

• MEPs could lose nearly €2,000 a month currently being paid into a supplementary pension fund if they fail to prove they are making a personal contribution from private income. Members have until the end of this year to provide proof and if they fail to do so, the Parliament will stop paying into the fund. The new rules are designed to deflect criticism that the 475 MEPs using the fund are potentially defrauding the system by using expenses intended for office and administrative costs to finance their pensions.

MEPs from four of the European Parliament’s five biggest groups have pledged to defend Polish Liberal MEP Bronislaw Geremek against attempts to strip him of his mandate.