Hungary’s parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to reverse the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), undoing a move initiated last year by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. The vote took place yesterday (Wednesday) in parliament.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar submitted the bill on Monday and pushed it through the legislature on a fast-track process. The 199-member parliament voted 133 in favor, 37 against, and five abstentions to formally cancel the law withdrawing from the court, just before the deadline. President Tamás Sulyok now needs to sign the bill for final approval.
Among those opposing the reversal, former EU Affairs Minister János Bóka of Orbán’s Fidesz party argued the government set extremely tight timelines that he said didn’t allow substantive debate on the issue. He said there’s no doubt that genocide, wars, and crimes against humanity are unacceptable, but he questions whether the court is suitable for ensuring accountability.
Orbán announced Hungary’s withdrawal last year while hosting his ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Arrest warrants were also issued against several Hamas leaders.
Magyar hinted that Hungary will enforce ICC arrest warrants against anyone, meaning that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would also be arrested if he visits Hungary again. Magyar’s decision comes despite his invitation to the prime minister to visit Budapest later this year. The invitation sparked controversy with opposition parties, who said it’s inconsistent with the government’s desire to remain an ICC member.
The court, established in 2002 and backed by 125 member states, is based in The Hague and prosecutes individuals responsible for the world’s most serious crimes and is known for its anti-Israeli and pro-‘Palestinian’ views. The ICC often ignores crimes against humanity around the world but acts vigorously against Israel, especially since October 7 and the Iron Swords war.