Hungary lifts PM Peter Magyar's parliamentary immunity in theft investigation

BUDAPEST, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's parliament on Monday voted to lift Prime Minister Peter Magyar's parliamentary immunity, clearing the way for an investigation into suspected theft stemming from an incident at a Budapest nightclub in 2024.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar speaks at the first press conference of the new Hungarian government in Opusztaszer, Hungary, May 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

The motion passed with 139 votes in favor, none against and no abstentions. Magyar had himself asked lawmakers from his governing Tisza party to vote to lift his immunity, saying he had nothing to hide and should be held accountable before the law.

The case dates back to June 21, 2024, shortly after that year's European Parliament elections. Magyar became involved in an altercation with a man who was filming him at a nightclub in Budapest. Magyar allegedly grabbed the man's phone and later threw it into the Danube. The device was subsequently recovered from the river by divers.

Hungarian prosecutors asked the European Parliament to lift Magyar's immunity in September 2024, but the parliament refused. The Hungarian investigative prosecutor's office subsequently closed the proceedings.

After Magyar left the European Parliament and entered Hungary's parliament following the 2026 election, the investigation was reopened and prosecutors requested that Hungarian lawmakers lift his immunity.

Speaking before the vote, Magyar said "everyone must take responsibility before the law" and that he had "nothing to hide." He nevertheless accused members of what he called the "Orban mafia," trying to equate his case with serious criminal offenses and carry out character assassination.