On Monday, Hungary’s Parliament voted to lift the immunity of three lawmakers, including Prime Minister Péter Magyar, to allow ongoing criminal investigations to proceed. Magyar is under investigation for alleged misdemeanour theft after reportedly taking a man’s mobile phone during a nightclub incident in June 2024 and throwing it into the Danube River. He denies the accusation, calling the case politically motivated and noting the alleged damages are minimal.
Magyar also criticised prosecutors for seeking to lift his immunity alongside that of two former Orbán-era ministers, who are accused of misusing tens of millions in public funds and accepting substantial bribes. Before the vote, Magyar stated, “I have not committed a crime; I take responsibility for all my actions.” He added, “Anyone who has nothing to hide comes forward openly,” referencing his request for his party to support lifting his immunity.
Parliamentary immunity, common in European democracies, protects lawmakers from political persecution and allows them to perform their duties without fear of arrest or lawsuits. The previous government of Viktor Orbán had unsuccessfully sought to lift Magyar’s immunity when he served in the European Parliament.
Lawmakers also voted to suspend the immunity of two former Orbán ministers: Balázs Hankó, former Minister of Culture, accused of mismanaging approximately $53.6 million from the National Cultural Fund for political purposes, and Miklós Seszták, former Development Minister, suspected of accepting over $37.2 million in bribes related to state contracts.
Fidesz and Christian Democrat lawmakers did not participate in the vote, calling the charges political persecution. No lawmakers whose immunity was lifted have been indicted.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
