Hungarian parliament strips PM of immunity over phone case

Hungary’s parliament has voted to lift Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s parliamentary immunity in connection with allegations that he took a mobile phone from a man who was filming him at a Budapest nightclub in June 2024. The European Parliament has separately documented the underlying case as an alleged theft of low-value property.

The motion to lift his parliamentary immunity was brought forward by prosecutors, clearing the way for criminal proceedings against the prime minister. The measure was approved by 139 lawmakers, with no votes cast against it and no abstentions recorded.

Magyar has previously said he was prepared to cooperate with the investigation and had requested that his immunity be lifted.

According to the case documents, the incident occurred on June 21, 2024, when Magyar was at a Budapest club and was recorded by another person. A confrontation followed during which Magyar took the phone, put it in his pocket and left with it.

The PM has characterized the incident as a provocation by the previous authorities.

Magyar, who leads the ruling Tisza Party, became prime minister after being elected by parliament in May 2026.

By Vafa Guliyeva