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Updated September 22, 2026: The mentelmi jog issue has become a major topic in Hungary after the National Assembly suspended the parliamentary immunity of three Fidesz MPs — Máté Kocsis, Miklós Panyi and János Pócs. The decision relates to private criminal proceedings involving allegations of defamation and insult connected to statements and social-media content surrounding the so-called “Zsolti bácsi” case.
Top Hungary Mentelmi Jog Headlines Today
- Hungary’s Parliament suspended the immunity of three Fidesz MPs.
- The MPs are Máté Kocsis, Miklós Panyi and János Pócs.
- The cases involve allegations of defamation and insult.
- The Budapest Central District Court requested the suspension.
- The parliamentary Immunity Committee previously failed to support suspension.
- Parliament later voted to suspend the immunity of all three MPs.
- The cases are connected to statements and online posts concerning the “Zsolti bácsi” controversy.
- The parliamentary decision allows the relevant private-prosecution proceedings to move forward.
What Does Mentelmi Jog Mean in Hungary?
The Hungarian term “mentelmi jog” generally refers to parliamentary immunity. Under Hungary’s Act XXXVI of 2012 on the National Assembly, a member’s immunity begins from the day of election, and an MP cannot ordinarily waive the immunity personally.
Parliamentary immunity is intended to provide legal protection connected to a representative’s parliamentary mandate. When a court requests suspension of immunity in a particular proceeding, the National Assembly can decide whether the protection should be lifted for that case.
The current September 2026 developments demonstrate how the process works when a court request reaches Parliament and the Immunity Committee and plenary assembly consider the matter.
Parliament Suspends Immunity of Three MPs
On September 22, Hungary’s National Assembly voted to suspend the immunity of Kocsis Máté, Panyi Miklós and Pócs János.
According to reports citing the parliamentary vote, Kocsis’s immunity was suspended with 143 votes in favour and 44 against. Panyi’s immunity was suspended by 141 votes to 45, with one abstention, while Pócs’s suspension was approved by 141 votes to 45.
The decisions followed requests from the Budapest Central District Court in private-prosecution cases involving alleged defamation and insult.
Immunity Committee Had Reached a Different Position
The parliamentary Immunity Committee discussed the three cases on September 21. The committee’s chair, Edit Sasi-Nagy, proposed suspending the MPs’ immunity.
However, the proposal did not receive a majority in the committee. The vote was reported as three in favour and three against, resulting in a recommendation not to suspend the immunity of the three MPs.
The issue was subsequently considered by the full Parliament, which reached a different decision on September 22.
This difference between the committee stage and the plenary vote is one of the main developments in the latest mentelmi jog Hungary news.
What Is the Legal Case About?
The proceedings stem from complaints filed by lawyer András Litresics concerning Facebook posts, shared content and press statements connected to the “Zsolti bácsi” controversy.
According to reports, the complainant argued that statements made or repeated by the MPs contained claims capable of damaging his reputation. The proceedings are private-prosecution cases involving alleged defamation and insult.
The allegations remain matters for the relevant legal proceedings. A suspension of parliamentary immunity does not itself establish that an MP committed an offence. It removes the specific procedural protection so that the court process can proceed.
Statements From the MPs
The three politicians have responded differently to the immunity issue.
Reports said Pócs János attended the Immunity Committee meeting and indicated that he was prepared to face the matter in court. Panyi Miklós also addressed Parliament and said he stood by statements he had made in relation to the dispute.
Kocsis Máté did not attend the committee meeting, according to reporting published after the September 21 session.
