Hungary’s Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, enabling prosecutors to proceed with an investigation into an alleged theft incident in Budapest. The decision, made with 139 votes in favor and none against, allows the legal inquiry to move forward concerning an incident at a nightclub in June 2024, where Magyar is accused of seizing a man’s phone and discarding it into the Danube River. The phone was later retrieved.
Prime Minister Magyar has categorically denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations as politically motivated. He requested the removal of his immunity, expressing his willingness to face the investigation. This development marks a significant moment in Hungarian politics, as the Prime Minister confronts potential legal challenges amid his claims of innocence.
In addition to Magyar, the Hungarian Parliament also voted to lift the immunity of two former ministers, Balázs Hankó, previously the Culture and Innovation Minister, and Miklós Seszták, the former National Development Minister. Both are under separate investigations linked to alleged corruption. Following the parliamentary vote, Seszták was detained by prosecutors, although he also maintains his innocence.
The lifting of parliamentary immunity for these officials permits prosecutors to continue their investigations unimpeded by legislative protections. As of now, all cases are ongoing, and no final convictions have been reached. The unfolding legal proceedings could have significant implications for the involved politicians and the political landscape in Hungary.