Hungary's parliament on Monday approved a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministers to a maximum of eight years in office, a move that effectively prevents former premier Viktor Orbán from returning to the country's top political post.
The amendment was passed by the government of Prime Minister Peter Magyar, whose party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority after defeating Orbán in April's election, ending the former leader's 16-year rule.
The supermajority gives Magyar's government the power to amend or reverse legislation enacted by Orbán's Fidesz party, including changes to the constitution.
Under the amendment, anyone who has already served as prime minister for at least eight years cannot be elected to the position again.
The provision applies to all prime ministerial terms held since 2 May, 1990, meaning Orbán's previous time in office counts towards the limit.
Going forward, Hungarian prime ministers will be required to step down after serving a total of eight years, equivalent to two four-year terms.
The constitutional changes also pave the way for the dismantling of the Sovereignty Protection Office, an institution created under Orbán's government.
Critics accused the office of targeting opposition politicians, journalists and civil society groups by labelling them as agents of "foreign interests."
Its planned dissolution marks one of the most significant institutional reversals undertaken by Magyar's administration since taking office.
The amendment also returns founders' rights over so-called public-interest asset-management foundations to the Hungarian state.
During Orbán's tenure, the government transferred state assets worth hundreds of billions of forints to these foundations, a move critics argued entrenched the former ruling party's influence over universities, cultural institutions and public resources.
The latest constitutional changes represent a major effort by Hungary's new government to dismantle key elements of Orbán's political legacy and reshape the country's institutions following one of the most significant power shifts in Hungary since the end of communism.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed aga...
Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on ene...
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York o...
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global e...
Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt supplies, according to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York on Monday, preserving its humanitarian, rights and political work.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppage-time winner over Ecuador, Sweden thrashing Tunisia 5-1, and debutants Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral in Kyiv, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks.
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear because of major gaps in testing, reporting and disease surveillance.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a major diplomatic success and a victory for peace.
Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt supplies, according to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment