Bush Auditorium echoed with cries of “Hear, hear!” and “Shame, shame!” on November 13 as the Rollins Debate Team participated in The Great Debate against the Hellenic American University from Greece. Audience members waved flags of their respective countries as the two teams debated whether presidents and prime ministers should be immune from criminal prosecution after they leave office.
The Rollins team argued in favor of immunity for actions committed while officials are in office, though they acknowledged that immunity should be limited. The Hellenic American University team argued in opposition of this claim. Both sides cited examples from history during which elected officials acted outside their realm of power. They then tied these examples into their respective arguments by stating how these acts either were performed for the greater good and should not count as criminal offenses, or why they pushed the law beyond its boundaries and should subject the official responsible to prosecution.
Both sides presented in-depth arguments and left the judges with much to discuss afterward when they disappeared behind the stage. When they returned, they declared the Hellenic American University team the winners.
The Great Debate marked the beginning of the debate season for the Rollins team. For more information regarding the debate team, visit: https://www.rollins.edu/debate-team/.
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