Fidesz MP Hankó Balázs leaves Parliament building after immunity suspension
Hankó Balázs, a Fidesz MP, exited the Hungarian Parliament with his family after his parliamentary immunity was suspended and he received a summons from the prosecutor's office.
On Monday, Hankó Balázs, a Fidesz member of parliament, left the Parliament together with his family after the chamber suspended his parliamentary immunity in the morning. The departure was broadcast live on Orbán Viktor’s Facebook page. Hankó told reporters that he felt no guilt, characterising the investigation as a politically motivated prosecution, and mentioned that Forsthoffer Ágnes had asked him to vacate the House.
He later received a formal summons from the prosecutor’s office at 19:20 and said he would attend the hearing whenever required. His lawyer also sent a written note to the chief prosecutor confirming Hankó’s location and willingness to cooperate. Journalists eventually entered the Fidesz faction office where Hankó had been staying, confirming his presence there.
Why it matters
The incident highlights tensions between Hungary’s ruling party and the judiciary over a high-profile corruption probe.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Government releases child-protection report warning the system is on the brink of collapse
- Sep 12 The government unveiled the report during a press event at the Kossuth Lajos Gyermekotthon.
- Sep 22 Hungary's deputy chief prosecutor has asked the parliament to lift immunity for MPs Magyar Péter, Hankó Balázs and Seszták Miklós over distinct alleged offenses.
- Sep 26 The parliamentary speaker received the prosecutor’s request and forwarded it to the Immunity Committee.
- Sep 28 Parliament voted to strip immunity from the prime minister and two former ministers.
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