Prime Minister Magyar publicly endorsed the suspension of his own immunity, framing the move as a necessary step to expose what he described as systemic corruption within the previous administration. In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening, Magyar characterized the prosecution’s actions as a final attempt by former officials to obscure the transfer of public funds. He stated that the current legal proceedings would allow for a “complete tabula rasa” and accountability process within the prosecution service, which he argued had been compromised for 16 years.
The suspension of immunity applies to three individuals: Prime Minister Magyar, former Minister of Culture and Innovation Balázs Hankó, and former National Development Minister Miklós Seszták. Magyar, a member of the Tisza Party, faces suspicion of theft. The investigation into his case was reopened after the termination of his previous mandate as a Member of the European Parliament. Magyar has previously contested the validity of the underlying investigation, referring to it as a politically motivated “character assassination” originating in 2024. He criticized the speed of the initial probe, noting that police commanders sent divers into the Danube without protective equipment to search for a phone, an action he has since filed a criminal complaint against for endangering public safety and abuse of office.
In parallel, the immunity waivers for the two former ministers will allow for the advancement of separate corruption cases. Balázs Hankó is suspected of breach of fiduciary duty in connection with payments made by the National Cultural Fund (NKA). According to the Prime Minister, this case involves approximately 17 billion forints in public funds. Miklós Seszták faces suspicion of accepting bribes in connection with the Volánbusz scandal. Magyar indicated that Seszták is alleged to have accepted 11 billion forints in bribes. The Volánbusz case has previously led to the arrest of a prominent business figure and the former director general of the Hungarian National Asset Management Company.
The political context of these legal steps is defined by the transition of power in Hungary. Magyar, who leads the opposition Tisza Party, has consistently alleged that the previous government under Viktor Orbán and Fidesz engaged in large-scale siphoning of state resources. By supporting the suspension of his own immunity, Magyar aims to distinguish his administration’s transparency from what he terms the “Orbán mafia.” He stated that his conscience is clear and that he is cooperating with authorities to ensure that those who aided and protected alleged corrupt networks are held accountable.
The procedural next steps involve the formal activation of these criminal investigations by the Central Investigation Chief Prosecutor’s Office. With the immunity barrier removed, prosecutors can now pursue formal charges against all three individuals. Magyar has indicated that his party is prepared to support the appointment of a new prosecutor general within three weeks, a role he believes is essential to overseeing the accountability process. The development marks a significant shift in the judicial landscape, moving from political speculation to formal legal proceedings regarding the financial conduct of both the new leadership and the preceding government.
