Hungary’s Parliament has taken a decisive step by lifting the parliamentary immunity of Prime Minister Péter Magyar, enabling prosecutors to move forward with an investigation into an alleged theft incident in Budapest. The parliamentary decision, reached with 139 votes in favor and none against, marks a significant development in the case involving Magyar.
The investigation centers around a confrontation in June 2024 at a Budapest nightclub, where Magyar is accused of taking a man’s phone and subsequently throwing it into the Danube River. The phone was later retrieved. Despite the allegations, Magyar has denied any wrongdoing, describing the case as politically motivated. He has actively supported the lifting of his immunity, expressing his willingness to face the investigation.
In addition to Magyar, Parliament also revoked the immunity of two former ministers, Balázs Hankó, the former Culture and Innovation Minister, and Miklós Seszták, the former National Development Minister. Both are under investigation for separate alleged corruption cases. Notably, following the parliamentary vote, Seszták was detained by prosecutors, although he asserts his innocence.
These decisions by Parliament allow the legal proceedings to continue without the protection of parliamentary immunity for the involved lawmakers. While the investigations are ongoing, none of the allegations against Magyar, Hankó, or Seszták have led to final convictions at this time.