Hungarian parliament votes for 8-year term limit that would stop Orbán returning

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1. 6d ago

   Hungary enacts eight-year PM term limit to block Orbán’s return

   Hungary’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment capping prime ministers at eight years in office, retroactively preventing Viktor Orbán from returning. The ruling Tisza party secured a supermajority vote, with the change framed as part of a shift back to EU norms. Péter Magyar, the new prime minister, has tied the move to his pledge to end Orbán’s 16-year tenure. The law now awaits formal ratification.

   What's confirmed:

   • Hungary’s parliament approved an eight-year term limit for prime ministers, with retroactive application blocking Viktor Orbán from running again after 20 years in office.
   • The ruling Tisza party’s supermajority secured 135 votes in favor, with 50 against, during today’s session.
   • The amendment is part of Péter Magyar’s push to return Hungary to mainstream EU politics following Orbán’s ouster in April.
   • Orbán’s tenure as prime minister spanned 16 consecutive years before his defeat in the April election.
   • MP Márton Melléthei-Barna, the amendment’s proponent, called the change a step toward democratic reconstruction and stronger rule of law.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The amendment may include additional ‘clawback’ provisions to undo Orbán-era legal changes, though details remain unclear.
   • Opposition parties reportedly opposed the measure, but no official counter-proposals have been introduced.
   confidence 98%