**Title: Hungary's Parliament Strips Immunity from Prime Minister Peter Magyar and Former Ministers Amid Corruption Investigations**
**Date: September 29, 2026**
Hungary's Parliament has officially lifted the immunity of Prime Minister Peter Magyar and two former ministers from Viktor Orban's administration, paving the way for criminal investigations into allegations of corruption. The decision, made during a parliamentary vote on Monday, marks a significant moment in Hungary's political landscape, particularly as it relates to accountability for past government officials.
The request to remove Magyar's immunity was initiated by the Prime Minister himself, who stated that he wished to clear his name amid accusations of theft. "I want to clear myself of this character assassination," Magyar declared, emphasizing his desire to address the allegations head-on. The investigations against him and the two former ministers—Balazs Hanko and Miklos Sesztak—are the first of their kind targeting high-ranking officials from Orban's 16-year rule.
The vote was met with overwhelming support from legislators, despite the absence of members from Orban’s Fidesz party and its ally, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), who chose to boycott the session. This move indicates a potential division within Hungary's political factions regarding accountability and governance.
Magyar is under investigation for an incident that occurred in June 2024 at a nightclub in Budapest, where he allegedly took a mobile phone from an individual filming him and subsequently threw it into the Danube River. He has characterized the investigation as a "sham," alleging that prosecutors are attempting to conflate his case with those of the former ministers in a politically motivated effort to undermine him.
Former Minister of Culture Balazs Hanko is accused of embezzling over 40 million euros (approximately $46 million) in public funds. Prosecutors allege that these funds were misappropriated to finance the 2026 parliamentary election campaign and for personal gain. Meanwhile, Miklos Sesztak, the former Minister of National Development, is under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes and kickbacks exceeding $37.2 million related to vehicle procurements and state construction projects. Both Hanko and Sesztak have denied any wrongdoing.
These investigations come less than six months after Magyar's Tisza party achieved a decisive victory, ending Orban's long-standing tenure. Magyar's campaign focused on promises to combat corruption, restore rule-of-law principles, and mend Hungary's strained relationship with the European Union. Since taking office, his administration has prioritized the fight against corruption and has proposed the establishment of a new asset-recovery office aimed at addressing misconduct linked to the previous government.
The lifting of immunity for Magyar and the former ministers marks a critical juncture in Hungary's political climate, as it reflects a broader commitment to accountability and transparency in governance. As the investigations proceed, the outcomes will likely have significant implications for the current government and its ongoing efforts to reform the political landscape in Hungary.
The developments also resonate with a growing demand within the European Union for member states to uphold democratic values and combat corruption, particularly in nations with histories of authoritarian governance. As the situation unfolds, observers will be closely monitoring the actions of both the government and the judiciary in Hungary.