The Hungarian parliament has officially reversed a 2025 decision to exit the International Criminal Court, with the new government pledging to uphold international legal standards and institutional cooperation.
Legislative reversal of the ICC withdrawal
The motion to remain in the International Criminal Court passed with 133 votes from Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party. In opposition, 37 deputies from the Fidesz coalition voted against the measure, while five members of the Mi Hazank party abstained. The new legislation will take effect one day after its official publication.
In a formal resolution, the government confirmed its commitment to strengthening the international legal order and maintaining the operational capacity of multilateral institutions. This move effectively cancels the withdrawal process initiated by the Viktor Orban administration in 2025.
Context of the original exit attempt
The previous government had moved to leave the ICC in May 2025 following a diplomatic dispute over the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó had justified the exit by labeling the court an “unpoliticized institution” that had lost its impartiality.
Tensions peaked after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, in November 2024 for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Despite these warrants, Netanyahu visited Hungary in April 2025 to meet with Orban.
Political motivations and international relations
Analysts note that the alliance between Orban and Netanyahu was intended to benefit both leaders politically. For Orban, the relationship served as a tool to counter accusations of antisemitism and mitigate his country’s diplomatic isolation.
Conversely, the Israeli leadership viewed ties with Visegrád Group nations as a strategic wedge against EU policies that heavily criticized Israel’s military actions toward Iran and Palestine.