The Hungarian government plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. The process could take up to a year.
This was announced by Justice Minister Tuzson Bence, as reported by Free Europe’s Hungarian editorial office.
This news is not unexpected, as the government has been discussing it since the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president. Last year, the Hungarian government reportedly tasked three of its ministers with investigating the possibility and circumstances of withdrawal.
Tuzson Bence announced that Hungary is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court during a meeting with invited diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade last week.
What will happen if Hungary withdraws from the ICC According to the publication, in order for the Hungarian government to make this decision, the authorities must first submit an official proposal for withdrawal to the National Assembly. If the majority of deputies support it, the government will begin the withdrawal process. According to a source familiar with the situation, this process may take about a year.
This development is not surprising, as the term of Hungary's representative to the ICC, Kovács Péternek, ended last year. However, he continues to work on one case, so he will remain in office until it is concluded. An anonymous source also stated that the draft resolution on Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC may soon appear on the National Assembly's website.
It is known that discussions about leaving the ICC were held in Budapest immediately after Trump's inauguration. According to the publication, the government has been waiting for Trump's actions regarding the court. When he announced that he would impose sanctions on the Hague court over the arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "the Hungarian government saw this as a green light."
