Polish MEP Ryszard Czarnecki’s term of office as Vice-President of the European Parliament came to an end on February 7, due to “serious misconduct”.
Czarnecki (ECR) was required to give up the role of Vice-President after he described fellow MEP Róża Thun (EPP, PL) as a “shmaltsovnik” (an offensive Polish term for someone who blackmailed Jews, or Poles protecting Jews, during the Nazi occupation).
The proposal to end his term of office, tabled by the Conference of Presidents (European Parliament president plus political group leaders), was passed by 447 votes to 196.
Parliament will now need to elect a new Vice-President, in accordance with Rules 17 and 20.
While Czarnecki will remain an MEP, he will not be allowed to represent parliament on behalf of its president nor chair plenary debates.
