Parliament to vote on new chief prosecutor amid candidate controversy and MP immunity suspensions
A special parliamentary session on Monday will decide the appointment of Zoltán Szathmáry as chief prosecutor, while also considering the suspension of immunity for three MPs.
On Monday, a specially convened parliamentary meeting will hold a secret vote to confirm Zoltán Szathmáry as the new chief prosecutor, a candidate put forward by President András Baka. The election requires a two-thirds majority, yet the Tisza parliamentary faction has announced its opposition, citing a potential conflict of interest linked to Szathmáry's brother, who is under investigation in a separate case. President Baka has maintained his support for the nominee and has not retracted the proposal, leaving open the possibilities of the vote proceeding, the candidate withdrawing, or a new nominee being sought.
In addition, the session will consider a proposal to suspend the parliamentary immunity of three legislators—Balázs Hankó, Miklós Seszták and Péter Magyar—following separate legal investigations. The outcomes will shape both the leadership of the prosecutor's office and the legal standing of the implicated MPs.
Why it matters
The vote will determine Hungary's top prosecutor and could affect legal accountability for several high-profile politicians.
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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