Hungary Lawmakers Reverse ICC Exit in 133-66 Vote, Preserving Membership Before June 2 Deadline
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 27
Hungary Lawmakers Reverse ICC Exit in 133-66 Vote, Preserving Membership Before June 2 Deadline
12 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 27
Hungary’s parliament voted 133-66 to stay in the International Criminal Court, undoing Viktor Orbán’s withdrawal plan days before it would have taken effect on June 2.
Péter Magyar’s new government fast-tracked the bill after his election last month, fulfilling a pledge to keep Hungary inside the Hague-based court and restore cooperation.
The legislation now goes to President Tamás Sulyok for signature, while the ICC’s governing body has already welcomed the reversal as essential for accountability for war crimes and genocide.
The U-turn also restores Hungary’s duty to arrest ICC suspects, including Benjamin Netanyahu, whose 2024 warrant Orbán ignored during a Budapest visit that judges later said breached Hungary’s obligations.
For the ICC, Hungary’s move offers rare support as the court faces mounting pressure from Donald Trump’s administration, which has sanctioned 11 officials and disrupted judges’ and prosecutors’ daily operations.
As Hungary embraces the ICC, the US sanctions it. Which vision for global justice will ultimately prevail in Europe?
Hungary defied the US to rejoin the ICC. Will this high-stakes gamble successfully unlock billions in frozen EU funds?
Hungary Votes to Remain in ICC: Landmark Policy Shift Under Péter Magyar Signals End of Orbán’s Isolationism
Overview
On May 27, 2026, Hungary’s parliament, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, decisively reversed the country’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), passing the legislation with strong support just before the June 2 deadline. This move marks a major shift in Hungary’s foreign policy, reaffirming its commitment to international justice and signaling a break from the previous administration’s stance. Continued ICC membership means Hungary must arrest anyone wanted by the court who enters its territory, including high-profile figures like Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision highlights Hungary’s renewed dedication to upholding global legal standards.