In a significant move by Hungary’s legislative branch, the Hungarian Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, enabling prosecutors to proceed with a criminal investigation. The case involves an alleged incident at a Budapest nightclub in June 2024, where Magyar is accused of taking a man’s phone during a confrontation and later discarding it into the Danube River. The phone was eventually recovered. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Magyar has denied any wrongdoing and claims the case is politically motivated. Notably, he himself requested the removal of his immunity to allow for the investigation to proceed.
The parliamentary decision was unanimous, with 139 votes in favor and none against or abstaining. This action not only impacts Prime Minister Magyar but also extends to two former ministers. The immunity of Balázs Hankó, the former Culture and Innovation Minister, and Miklós Seszták, the former National Development Minister, was also lifted. Both are subjects of separate investigations concerning alleged corruption activities. Following the parliamentary vote, Miklós Seszták was detained by prosecutors, although he maintains his innocence.
The lifting of immunity for these high-profile figures marks a crucial step in allowing prosecutors to thoroughly investigate the allegations without the legal protections previously afforded by their positions. While the investigations into these matters are ongoing, it is important to note that no final convictions have been reached as of yet.
This development underscores the Hungarian Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that legal processes can proceed without obstruction, even when involving top political figures. The outcome of these investigations will be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for the individuals involved and the broader political landscape in Hungary.