Hungarian Parliament Approves Eight-Year Term Limit for Prime Ministers
Constitutional Amendment Details and Implications
BUDAPEST, June 15 (Reuters) - 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.
Key Provisions of the Amendment
Term Limits for Prime Ministers
• The amendment says that those who had previously held the role of prime minister for at least eight years "cannot be elected prime minister." This applies to prime ministerial terms held after the date of May 2, 1990.
• Prime ministers will have to leave office after a total of eight years, or two terms.
Other Major Changes
Dissolution of the Sovereignty Protection Office
• The constitutional amendment also paves the way for the dissolution of the Sovereignty Protection Office, set up by Orban's government, that stigmatised opposition figures and journalists for serving "foreign interests."
Restoration of State Control Over Public-Interest Foundations
• In addition, the amendment gives back the founders' rights of so-called public-interest asset-management foundations to the state. Orban's government transferred state assets worth hundreds of billions of forints to these foundations.
(Reporting by Anita Komuves; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
