Hungary considers steps to prevent Orbán's comeback
Photo: Viktor Orbán (Getty Images)
The ruling Tisza party has submitted a draft constitutional amendment to the Hungarian parliament. The key provision is that the prime minister cannot hold office for more than eight years, according to Reuters.
Read also: Orbán loses Hungary election despite Trump and Putin's help: RBC-Ukraine report from Budapest
Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who ousted Viktor Orbán from power after 16 years in office following the April elections, stated that he has a sufficient parliamentary majority to repeal and revise laws passed by Fidesz, including constitutional amendments, to restore the system of democratic checks and balances.
According to the draft amendment published on the parliament’s website, individuals who have previously served as prime minister for at least eight years will not be eligible for re-election to that office. The restriction applies to the period after May 2, 1990.
It is also stipulated that the prime minister must leave office after two terms or eight years in office.
This amendment also paves the way for the dissolution of the Office for the Protection of Sovereignty, a body established by Orbán in 2023 that compiled lists of media outlets deemed a threat to Hungary’s sovereignty.
Under this bill, the Hungarian government will also restore the rights of the founders of so-called public interest asset management funds, which control nearly two dozen universities, and the government may dissolve these funds.
In that case, state assets worth hundreds of billions of forints, transferred to these funds by the Orbán government, will revert to the state.
On April 17, Viktor Orbán, who lost the parliamentary elections, assured that he would continue to lead the Fidesz party in opposition.
He later announced new plans for the future following his election defeat.
To find out who has become Orbán’s main successor, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
