Bence Forsthoffer, a former justice minister and sitting member of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, has received a formal request from the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office to suspend his parliamentary immunity, a step that would clear the way for criminal charges to be filed against him.
In Hungary, members of parliament enjoy immunity that protects them from prosecution while in office, a safeguard intended to preserve legislative independence. The immunity can be lifted only after a parliamentary committee reviews a prosecutor’s petition and the full chamber votes in favour of suspension.
Legal request and procedure
The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, Hungary’s highest prosecutorial authority, submitted a petition alleging that Forsthoffer’s alleged conduct warrants criminal investigation. The petition will be examined by the House Committee on Immunity and Inviolability, which must recommend a vote to the full National Assembly.
According to the Hungarian news agency Telex, the request marks a rare escalation in a case involving a senior figure from the government’s own ranks. The agency noted that “the air is thinning around the Hankó group,” referring to the informal faction within Fidesz that Forsthoffer is associated with.
"Forsthoffer has received the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office’s request to suspend his parliamentary immunity," the report added.
The outcome of the committee’s deliberations will determine whether the parliamentary floor will schedule a vote. If a majority of the 199‑member National Assembly approves the suspension, prosecutors may proceed with formal charges and a trial.
Political ramifications
The case is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of Hungary’s rule‑of‑law record. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government, which has held power since 2010, has repeatedly defended the immunity system as a bulwark against politicised prosecutions, while critics argue it shields officials from accountability.
Forsthoffer’s tenure as justice minister (2020‑2022) was marked by a series of controversial reforms that consolidated judicial oversight under the executive. His alleged misconduct, though not detailed in public filings, is seen by analysts as a test of how far the ruling party will allow internal challenges to proceed.
Opposition parties have pledged to scrutinise the petition closely, arguing that any relaxation of immunity must be transparent and grounded in solid evidence. Their stance reflects broader concerns that the current parliamentary majority could influence the outcome of immunity votes.
International observers, including European Union officials, have previously highlighted the importance of an independent judiciary in Hungary. While no direct comment has been issued on this specific case, the EU’s ongoing dialogue with Budapest on rule‑of‑law issues underscores the potential diplomatic weight of a high‑profile immunity suspension.
Should the National Assembly vote to lift Forsthoffer’s immunity, the precedent could signal a shift in how Hungary handles alleged wrongdoing among senior officials, potentially emboldening the prosecutorial office and altering internal party dynamics.
The timeline for a parliamentary vote remains uncertain, as the committee’s report is expected in the coming weeks. The decision will be closely watched both in Budapest and abroad for its implications on the balance of power within Hungary’s political system.
