MEPs’ move to shield a Bulgarian lawmaker’s immunity raises concerns over EU judicial independence and could affect investor confidence in the bloc’s rule‑of‑law framework

Executive summary: MEPs are preparing to shield Bulgarian lawmaker Ilhan Kyuchyuk from prosecution after allegations he misused parliamentary assistant funds to hire party officials in Sofia. The decision challenges the EU’s rule‑of‑law credibility, could affect confidence in Bulgaria’s access to EU funds, and may trigger broader institutional debates on accountability.

Who is involved: Bulgarian MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, fellow Members of the European Parliament, the Parliament’s committee on immunity, and the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office.

Likely next: A parliamentary vote on the immunity request, possible legal challenges before the European Court of Justice, and heightened scrutiny from EU anti‑corruption bodies and the Commission.

The European Parliament is considering a vote to protect Bulgarian MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk from prosecution after prosecutors alleged he used parliamentary assistant funds to employ party officials in Sofia. The step tests the EU’s ability to uphold rule‑of‑law standards, particularly regarding member‑state compliance with anti‑fraud rules. If immunity is upheld, it may fuel perceptions of impunity and complicate the EU’s oversight of funds directed to Bulgaria, with potential repercussions for market sentiment and policy debates.