In a decisive move that marks a sharp departure from the previous administration's foreign policy, the Hungarian National Assembly voted on Monday to reverse the country's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 199-member parliament approved the repeal with 133 votes in favour, 37 against, and five abstentions, just ahead of a looming deadline. The bill, submitted by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, was rushed through under a fast-track procedure, and now awaits signature from President Tamás Sulyok to become law.
The withdrawal process had been set in motion last year by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, a decision that drew sharp criticism from European partners and human rights advocates. Orbán announced the move while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest, following the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. The court also issued warrants for several Hamas leaders.
Political Divisions and Criticism
The reversal has not been without controversy. Among those opposing the repeal was János Bóka, former minister for EU affairs from Orbán's Fidesz party. Bóka argued that the government's tight deadlines prevented a substantive parliamentary debate. He stated that while genocide, wars, and crimes against humanity are unacceptable, he questioned whether the ICC is fit to ensure accountability. Critics of the court, including István Apáti of the far-right Our Homeland Movement, contend that the ICC has become a political tool. Apáti proposed establishing an alternative body similar to the ICC under Hungarian leadership.
The vote reflects a broader European debate about the ICC's effectiveness and impartiality. The Hague-based tribunal, established in 2002 and backed by 125 member states, prosecutes individuals for the world's gravest crimes when national courts are unwilling or unable to act. However, it has struggled with a lack of recognition and enforcement power, as major nations including China, Israel, Russia, and the United States do not recognise its jurisdiction.
Prime Minister Magyar has indicated that Hungary would execute ICC warrants against anyone, including Netanyahu, despite the earlier invitation for him to visit Budapest later this year. That invitation had sparked controversy, with opposition parties arguing it was incompatible with Hungary's ICC membership. The ICC's legislative body welcomed the reversal, calling it an "important decision" after the government announced last Friday it would discontinue the withdrawal process.
This development comes amid a broader European recalibration of foreign policy stances. For instance, Estonia has warned the EU against direct talks with Russia, cautioning against a 'neutral mediator' trap. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Deputy PM has rejected associate EU membership, insisting on full accession. These positions highlight the continent's ongoing struggle to balance national interests with collective security and justice frameworks.
The Hungarian parliament's decision underscores the shifting political landscape in Budapest, where the new government under Magyar is seeking to realign with European norms and international legal commitments. As President Sulyok prepares to sign the bill into law, the move signals a potential thaw in Hungary's relations with the EU and its commitment to multilateral institutions.
