Hungarian parliament reverses decision to withdraw from ICC

Hungary's parliament voted by a large majority on Wednesday to repeal the law that would have taken the country out of the International Criminal Court. The reversal marks a significant shift in Hungary's position on international justice.

Hungary's parliament voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to cancel the country's planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a controversial decision that had drawn significant international attention.

The repeal passed with a large majority of votes in the Hungarian legislature, effectively keeping Hungary as a member of the ICC. The court is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

Hungary's initial move to withdraw from the ICC had come amid controversy over an ICC arrest warrant issued for Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Budapest had signalled at the time that it did not intend to arrest Putin if he were to visit Hungary.

The reversal raises questions about the political calculus in Budapest, as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government has long maintained close ties with Moscow while also navigating its obligations as an EU member state. The vote to remain in the ICC could be seen as a concession to Hungary's European partners, who had been critical of the initial withdrawal move.