Hungary's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment limiting a prime minister's term to eight years. This new rule prevents former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from serving as prime minister again. Orbán led Hungary for 16 years without interruption until April's election.
The Magyar Tisza party, which won a two-thirds majority in the recent election, spearheaded this change. Their victory gave them the power to amend the constitution. Under the new law, no prime minister since 1990 can serve more than two terms, even if those terms are not consecutive. This legislative move directly targets Orbán's potential return to leadership.
This development fits into a broader narrative of political and economic reform in Hungary. The newly elected government aims to dismantle state structures put in place by the previous administration. For four years, Transparency International has identified Hungary as the most corrupt country in the European Union. Concerns over rule of law and corruption led the EU to withhold billions of euros in funding for Hungary.
Former Prime Minister Orbán's Fidesz party voted against the measure. Orbán, re-elected as the party's leader, criticized the amendment. He stated on Facebook, "The Orban law has just been voted through. That was the most pressing issue. If I'm needed, I'll be here."
The Tisza government's supermajority secured the amendment with 135 votes to 50. The law now awaits President Tamás Sulyok's signature to become official. This legislative action will have significant implications for Hungary's political landscape and its relationship with the EU. It marks a clear shift in power and policy direction.
The amendment is part of efforts to unlock €16.4 billion in EU funds. The European Commission agreed to unfreeze these funds last month, contingent on Hungary implementing anti-corruption reforms. These reforms include strengthening the Integrity Authority, Hungary's anti-corruption watchdog. Parliament will focus on additional legal changes required to access the remaining EU funds.
Beyond term limits, Monday's amendment removed a requirement for an independent agency to protect Hungary's "constitutional identity." This effectively ends Orbán's Sovereignty Protection Office, which was established in 2023. This office monitored "undue political interference" from "foreign interests." The new government also plans to target public trust foundations, known as "Kekva," created by the previous administration. These foundations received state assets like companies and educational institutions. The government intends to return these assets to the state or reduce funding for some institutions.
One such institution is the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), which has strong ties to Fidesz. Its board of trustees includes Balázs Orbán, the former prime minister's political director. The ongoing reforms signal a significant shift away from the policies and structures established during Viktor Orbán's long tenure. This could lead to a more transparent and accountable government, potentially improving Hungary's standing within the EU.