Hungary strips PM Magyar's immunity in historic vote, targets former Fidesz ministers

Key points

• Péter Magyar became the first sitting Hungarian prime minister to have his parliamentary immunity waived, allowing prosecution to proceed with a case from June 2024.
• The case involves an incident at the Ötkert nightclub where Magyar allegedly snatched a phone from a man and dropped it into the Danube after a dispute.
• The parliament also stripped the immunity of former Fidesz ministers Miklós Seszták and Balázs Hankó, who face charges related to bribery and misuse of the National Cultural Fund.
• Seszták was taken into custody shortly after his immunity was revoked, while Hankó denied all allegations.
• The Fidesz and KDNP parliamentary groups boycotted the vote, characterizing the proceedings as a political show trial.

Background

This development follows the 2026 establishment of the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office, a key component of Magyar's anti-corruption agenda. The office was created to trace and recover public assets and has been central to the government's 'Operation Purgatory' initiative, which aims to address alleged corruption from the previous administration.

How outlets are covering it

Euractiv emphasizes the historic nature of Magyar's immunity waiver and details the specific allegations regarding the nightclub incident, noting that the EU Parliament had previously refused to waive his immunity as a member of the European Parliament. Daily News Hungary frames the event as the beginning of a new phase in 'Operation Purgatory,' highlighting the simultaneous launch of investigations by the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. While Euractiv focuses on the legal and procedural aspects of the immunity votes, Daily News Hungary contextualizes the event within the broader anti-corruption campaign and the operational launch of the new state institution. Both sources agree on the factual outcomes of the vote but differ in their emphasis on the political framing versus the legal precedent.

Why it matters

The waiver of immunity for a sitting prime minister sets a significant legal and political precedent in Hungary, potentially altering the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches. The simultaneous targeting of former Fidesz ministers signals a shift in political accountability, though the opposition views these actions as politically motivated. The establishment of the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office indicates a structural change in how the state handles public funds and corruption cases, which could have long-term implications for governance and public trust in Hungary.

What to watch

Prosecutors are expected to formally interrogate Péter Magyar and proceed with the case regarding the 2024 nightclub incident. The National Asset Recovery and Protection Office will begin investigating high-profile corruption cases, potentially involving public procurement and state subsidies. The legal status of Miklós Seszták and Balázs Hankó will be determined as they face criminal proceedings, with Seszták already in custody. The political dynamics will likely intensify as the Fidesz party continues to oppose the government's anti-corruption measures.