Spain's Supreme Court has to decide whether imprisoned former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras can take his seat as an MEP following last month's election, and everything suggests the answer will be "no". The second chamber, which is hearing the trial in the case, is reportedly leaning towards not allowing him to collect his accreditation nor attend the opening of parliament.
According to El Independiente, Junqueras being held in prison without bail during the trial would be used to justify him being kept from taking his seat. The new legislature in the European Parliament will officially start on 2nd July, two weeks after the expected end of the trial.
MEPs' immunity is also an important factor in the decision. According to a European Parliament legal report, "whilst the European Parliament is in session, its members will have in their own national territory the immunity granted to the parliament of their country and, in the territory of any member state, immunity against any detention measure and any legal action".
If the court allows Junqueras to attend, his status as an MEP would grant him this immunity. For that reason, legal sources tell El Independiente, the Supreme Court is expected to block it.