Hungary's Parliament votes to remain in the ICC, reversing Orbán's withdrawal ahead of June deadline
Hungarian lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to cancel the country's departure from the International Criminal Court, undoing a decision by Viktor Orbán's previous government just days before the exit was set to take effect.
A decisive parliamentary vote
Hungary's parliament approved legislation to repeal the country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The vote saw 133 deputies from the ruling Tisza party support the measure, while 37 Fidesz lawmakers opposed it and five representatives of the 'Our Homeland' Movement abstained. The new law formally annuls the previous legislation and halts the exit process initiated last year.
Remaining in the ICC is essential to ensure that those responsible for international crimes are held accountable for their actions, protecting peace and human rights.
Orbán's original decision
In April 2025, then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced Hungary would begin withdrawing from what he called a "political court." The announcement came while he was hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest, despite an ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict. Orbán's government had declared the warrant "cynical" and refused to enforce it.
The ICC has become a political tribunal that has lost its impartiality, as demonstrated by its decisions regarding Israel.
Magyar's reversal
Péter Magyar, who led the centre-right Tisza party to a landslide election victory last month, had repeatedly vowed to stop the withdrawal before it became effective on 2 June. His government submitted the bill on Monday, fast-tracking it through parliament. The legislation must now be signed by President Tamás Sulyok, an Orbán-era appointee whom Magyar has called on to resign.
Hungary will halt the ICC withdrawal process and enforce the arrest warrants it has issued, including the one against Benjamin Netanyahu.
International context
The ICC's legislative body welcomed Hungary's reversal as "essential" for accountability for the world's gravest crimes. The Hague-based court, founded in 2002 and supported by 125 member states, has faced significant challenges. Since Donald Trump's return to power, his administration has imposed sanctions on 11 ICC officials, leading to cancelled credit cards and disappearing digital accounts. Hungary's U-turn prevents it from becoming the only EU member state not recognising the court's jurisdiction, joining countries like China, Israel, Russia and the United States that refuse to do so.
- Orbán announces Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC while hosting Netanyahu in Budapest
- Péter Magyar elected, vows to reverse the ICC withdrawal
- Magyar's government announces it will halt the exit process; ICC legislative body welcomes the decision
- Government submits fast-track bill to parliament
- Parliament votes 133-37 to remain in the ICC
- Original date when Hungary's withdrawal would have taken effect
What comes next
The law now awaits the signature of President Tamás Sulyok to complete the legislative process. Magyar has also indicated that Hungary will now enforce ICC arrest warrants, including the one against Netanyahu, marking a sharp break with Orbán's foreign policy. The move represents a significant diplomatic shift for Hungary and a boost for the beleaguered international tribunal.
