Third time’s the charm – or so the Hungarian authorities must have thought. They have now made three separate requests to the European Parliament to lift the immunity of MEP Péter Magyar. The accusations: theft and defamation. If Magyar’s immunity were lifted, prosecutors could open an investigation against him.

But the real reason behind this move appears to be Magyar’s growing political success at home, as the leader of Hungary’s opposition. His rise is putting increasing pressure on Orbán’s Fidesz party – which, for the first time in 15 years, is trailing in the polls. If elections were held in Hungary tomorrow, Magyar’s party, Tisza, would come out on top.

Parliamentary immunity is meant precisely to protect elected representatives from politically motivated persecution. The European Parliament will vote on the Hungarian request on Tuesday — and will not lift Péter Magyar’s immunity.

Daniel Freund, Green MEP:

“The accusations against Magyar are absurd. Orbán is trying to eliminate his political opponent through a smear campaign. The European Parliament refuses to be instrumentalized this way. We will not lift Magyar’s immunity. Orbán’s maneuver shows how desperate he has become. Fidesz is now trailing behind Magyar’s Tisza party in the polls. Tisza threatens Orbán’s monopoly on power – and could win the 2026 election. Orbán is doing everything he can to prevent that scenario.”