Hungary’s Parliament has voted decisively to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, enabling prosecutors to proceed with a criminal investigation against him. The decision, passed unanimously with 139 votes in favor and none against, centers around an alleged theft incident in Budapest in June 2024. Magyar is accused of taking a man’s phone during a confrontation at a nightclub and subsequently throwing it into the Danube River. The phone was later recovered.
Magyar, however, has denied any wrongdoing, describing the accusations as politically motivated. In a move underscoring his stance, he personally requested that his immunity be lifted, stating his willingness to face the investigation.
In addition to Magyar, the immunity of two former ministers was also lifted by the Parliament. Balázs Hankó, the former Culture and Innovation Minister, and Miklós Seszták, the former National Development Minister, are both subjects of separate investigations related to alleged corruption. Following the parliamentary decision, Seszták was detained by prosecutors but has maintained his innocence.
The lifting of immunity for these three political figures allows prosecutors to move forward with their investigations without the legal protections typically granted to lawmakers. While the allegations remain under investigation, no final convictions have been reached in any of the cases.
This development highlights a significant moment in Hungarian politics, as high-profile figures face legal scrutiny in ongoing investigations. The outcomes of these cases could have broader implications for the political landscape in Hungary.