Hungary’s Parliament has voted to lift the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, paving the way for prosecutors to investigate an alleged theft incident in Budapest in 2024. The decision was made with overwhelming support, as 139 members voted in favor, with no opposition or abstentions recorded.
The investigation centers around an incident that took place at a Budapest nightclub in June 2024. Magyar is accused of taking a man’s phone during a confrontation and subsequently discarding it into the Danube River. The phone was later recovered. Magyar has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the case is politically motivated. He proactively requested the removal of his immunity, expressing his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
In addition to Magyar, Parliament also lifted the immunity of two former ministers. Balázs Hankó, the former Culture and Innovation Minister, and Miklós Seszták, the former National Development Minister, are both under separate investigations related to alleged corruption. Following the parliamentary decision, Seszták was detained by prosecutors, although he maintains his innocence.
The removal of immunity allows prosecutors to proceed with their investigations without the legal protection previously afforded to the lawmakers. While these investigations continue, it’s important to note that none of the allegations have yet resulted in convictions.