Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
The amendment, initiated by Tisza Party MPs Márton Melléthei-Barna and István Hantosi, was passed with 135 votes in favor, 50 against and six abstentions.
Under the amended Fundamental Law, no one may be elected prime minister if they have already served a total of at least eight years in the post, including non-consecutive terms. The period is calculated from May 2, 1990, or any time thereafter.
The provision means that Viktor Orbán would not be eligible to hold the office again.
The Fundamental Law was also amended to state that the prime minister’s mandate must terminate once they have served a total of at least eight years.
In another change, Parliament deleted the provision establishing the Sovereignty Protection Office from the Fundamental Law. The removed text had stated that “an independent body established by cardinal law operates to protect constitutional identity.”
The amendment also updates rules on state assets transferred to public interest asset management foundations, known by their Hungarian acronym Kekva. Under the new provision, state assets handed over to such foundations, whether by the founder, a joining member or through another legal arrangement, must return to the state if the foundation is dissolved.
The rule also applies to income generated by those assets and to any assets replacing them. The state will take over the founder’s rights, giving it the power to dissolve the foundations. Special asset management rights linked to state-owned property will also cease to apply.
Detailed rules on the operation, dissolution and public tasks of the foundations will be set out in a separate law.
The amendment will enter into force on the day after its promulgation.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
