The Hungarian parliament has approved a constitutional amendment limiting a prime minister's term to eight years, fulfilling a promise by Péter Magyar to prevent Viktor Orbán from becoming prime minister again. Orbán led Hungary uninterrupted for 16 years until Magyar's Tisza party swept him from power in April's election, winning a two-thirds majority that allows constitutional changes.
Under the new provision, no prime minister since 1990 can serve more than two terms, even if they are non-consecutive. Orbán's depleted Fidesz party voted against the measure, and the former prime minister was highly critical. “The Orban law has just been voted through. That was the most pressing issue. If I'm needed, I'll be here,” he wrote on Facebook. Orbán complained that Tisza had only been in power a month and should not be “dreaming of eight years” into the future.
The Tisza government's super-majority ensured the amendment passed by 135 votes to 50. The law now requires the signature of President Tamás Sulyok. Orbán's former political director, Balázs Orbán, accused Magyar of “using political power to exclude a political opponent from democratic competition.” Although the amendment could theoretically be changed by a future government with a super-majority, the new provision also means Magyar can only serve as prime minister until 2034. He took office last month, promising to dismantle controversial state apparatus from Fidesz's 16-year rule.
For four consecutive years, Transparency International has labeled Hungary the most corrupt country in the European Union. The EU withheld billions of euros due to concerns over rule of law, corruption, and democratic backsliding. Last month, the European Commission agreed to unlock €16.4 billion, subject to reforms to combat corruption that must pass parliament.
Monday's amendment also scrapped a requirement for an independent agency to protect Hungary's “constitutional identity,” signaling the end of Orbán's Sovereignty Protection Office. This office was created in 2023 to monitor “undue political interference” by foreign interests. The amendment also targets “Kekva” public trust foundations created under the previous government through transfers of state assets, including companies and educational institutions. The government intends to return these assets to the state or cut funding, affecting institutions like the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, which has close ties to Fidesz.
On Tuesday, parliament focused on further legal changes required to unlock billions of euros withheld by the European Commission. These include boosting the role of Hungary's anti-corruption watchdog, the Integrity Authority. Parliament also commemorated the anniversary of the execution of leaders of Hungary's 1956 revolution against Soviet rule. The six leaders, including former Prime Minister Imre Nagy, were each named by Magyar, and MPs marked the date of their reburial in 1989.
During the session, Balázs Orbán accused Magyar of pushing through reforms that left thousands of Hungarian students facing an uncertain future, sparking a clash. Magyar responded that in October, Hungarians would mark the 70th anniversary of the 1956 revolution, having turned a new page in history to become part of the “free world.”
