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Agencies

Hungary’s parliament approved a ⁠constitutional amendment ⁠on Monday that ⁠allows prime ministers to serve for a maximum of eight years, effectively barring former premier Viktor Orban from holding the role ‌again.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar ousted Orban in an election in April after 16 years, gaining a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows his party to roll back or change legislation passed ⁠by Orban’s Fidesz, including the constitution.
The amendment was a key campaign promise of pro-EU conservative Magyar who, in April elections, ousted Orban from office and promised sweeping reforms as part of a “regime change”.
Magyar argued the possibility of limitless tenure can lead to power concentration, pointing to his predecessor as an example, whom critics accused of constantly tweaking Hungary’s political system to keep a tight grip on power.
Orban’s party opposed term limits, arguing that it could restrict popular will.
The amendment passed parliament with 135 votes for, 50 against, and six abstentions. Under Hungarian law, such a measure can be passed by a two-thirds supermajority without needing a referendum.
Some countries around the globe impose term-limits on their top leaders, with such restrictions usually placed on presidents.

The tenure of Hungary’s president, whose role is largely ceremonial, is already limited: he can be re-elected only once to a second five-year term.
The adopted term limit does not completely rule out Orban’s return to power, however, as it could be revoked in the future by another constitutional change.
This is the 16th time Hungary’s Basic Law has been changed since its adoption in 2011.
The approved amendment also removed a provision stipulating the need for an independent body to “safeguard” the country’s “constitutional identity”.
This was done to prepare the ground for disbanding the Sovereignty Protection Office.
The controversial agency, established under the previous government in 2024, was entrusted with broad investigative powers ostensibly to curb “foreign influence”.
But it mainly targeted Orban’s critics, accusing independent media and NGOs such as Transparency International of serving foreign interests for its scrutiny of the government.
The agency has not released any official reports since Magyar won the election.
Hungary’s parliament is set to vote on a bill for the agency’s dissolution at the end of June.
Reporting by Reuters, Agence France-Presse


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Europe

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’


Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’.


Viktor Orban

European Union

Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with 8-year limit for prime ministers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’