Hungarian MPs have passed a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years, effectively blocking former leader Viktor Orban from a potential return to power. The amendment was a key campaign promise of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who aims to bring Hungary back into the EU mainstream. The vote, which saw 150 MPs in favor and 50 against, also led to the disbandment of the Sovereignty Protection Office, established under Orban to investigate critics. Orban, despite losing the election in April, was re-elected as leader of the Fidesz party.
Why It Matters
The passing of the constitutional amendment and subsequent reforms mark a significant shift in Hungarian politics, aiming to distance the country from Orban’s pro-Russian and illiberal regime. Prime Minister Magyar’s efforts to strengthen ties with the EU, including lifting Hungary’s veto on Ukraine’s EU accession process, signal a new direction for the nation. The closure of the Sovereignty Protection Office, criticized for violating human rights, reflects a broader effort to address issues of democratic governance in Hungary.
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