Polish prosecutors charge MEP with Holocaust denial over Auschwitz ‘fake’ claim
Rise of Grzegorz Braun and his far-right party is forcing Poland’s right to confront an uncomfortable coalition question.
Polish prosecutors have brought charges against far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun for denying that Nazi crimes occurred at Auschwitz. The 10% polling party leader called the gas chambers at the former death camp "fake" in two July 2025 interviews. This offense, which carries a fine of up to three years in prison, is punishable for denying genocide committed by Nazi Germany at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Prosecutors allege Braun publicly denied facts contrary to established historical records. Around a million Jews and 100,000 others were killed at the camp, making these claims highly contested. Braun, who has a history of antisemitic rhetoric, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case stems from his interviews and challenges his parliamentary immunity, which the European Parliament approved.
This legal action comes as his party gains potential influence ahead of Poland's parliamentary election in October 2027. Braun's party is polling at 10.2% in recent polls, trailing the conservative Law and Justice party at 21.3%. Prime Ministerial candidate Przemysław Czarnek has explicitly stated Braun would not serve in a PiS-led government, though he hasn't ruled out a coalition with the party. This distinction could be significant for forming a governing majority in the upcoming election.
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