Hungarian lawmakers voted Wednesday to repeal a law that would have withdrawn the country from the International Criminal Court [1].
The decision marks a significant shift in Hungary's international legal standing by overturning a withdrawal process initiated by former nationalist premier Viktor Orbán last year [2].
Members of the 199-member parliament [1] gathered in Budapest to cast their votes on the measure. The repeal passed with 133 votes in favor [1]. There were 37 votes against the measure and five abstentions [1].
The move effectively cancels the exit strategy that Orbán set in motion to distance the nation from the Hague-based court [2]. By reversing the previous legislation, the parliament ensures Hungary remains a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.
This legislative action concludes a period of uncertainty regarding Hungary's commitment to international justice mechanisms. The vote on May 27, 2026, restores the country's membership in the court [3].
“Hungarian lawmakers voted Wednesday to repeal a law that would have withdrawn the country from the International Criminal Court.”
This reversal signals a pivot in Hungary's foreign policy away from the nationalist isolationism associated with Viktor Orbán's tenure. By maintaining its membership in the ICC, Hungary reaffirms its alignment with international legal norms and the global framework for prosecuting war crimes and genocide.
