Justice Immunity of National Councillor Prelicz-Huber will not be lifted

Zurich National Councillor Katharina Prelicz-Huber (Greens) is protected by immunity from investigations into defamation and unfair competition. This was decided by the two responsible committees of the Federal Parliament.

The decision is final. The public prosecutor's office in Bern had wanted to waive the immunity of National Councillor Prelicz-Huber and open criminal proceedings against her. The politician had been charged with defamation against the IV expert Pmeda and violation of the Federal Act against Unfair Competition.

The Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States (RK-S) unanimously decided not to waive Prelicz-Huber's immunity, as the parliamentary services announced on Thursday. Like a majority of the National Council's Immunity Committee, the RK-S found that Prelicz-Huber's actions were part of the official duties of a National Councillor.

Pmeda's medical reports have been criticized for some time. In October 2023, the Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) announced that the disability insurance company would no longer commission the firm to provide bi- and polydisciplinary reports. Experts had identified deficiencies in the reports.

The RK-S found that those directly affected by Pmeda's decisions had turned to Prelicz-Huber because she was a member of the National Council. Thanks to her position as a member of the Council, Prelicz-Huber was able to make representations to the FSIO directorate.

The activities of parliament would be severely restricted if members of the Council who asked unpleasant questions, pointed out grievances or suggested quality checks had to fear criminal proceedings, argued the RK-S. The public interest in the ability to function outweighed the interests of criminal prosecution.