Parliament Passes Constitutional Amendment Limiting Prime Ministerial Terms

Hungary’s National Assembly has approved a constitutional amendment that limits the length of a prime minister’s tenure to eight years and abolishes public interest asset management foundations performing public functions.

Following pre agenda speeches and parliamentary interpellations, lawmakers debated the 16th amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law on Monday afternoon. The proposal, initiated by two members of the Tisza Party, introduces an eight year term limit for the office of prime minister.

Under the amendment, the rule would apply retroactively to all prime ministers who have served since May 2, 1990. As a result, current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán would no longer be eligible to serve as prime minister in the future under the new constitutional provisions.