In a decisive move to reshape the nation's political landscape, Hungary’s parliament has voted 135 to 50 to impose a strict eight-year term limit on the office of the prime minister.
The amendment, which now awaits the signature of President Tamás Sulyok, ensures that no individual who has served since 1990 can hold the premiership for more than two terms, effectively ending the possibility of a return for Viktor Orbán.
Orbán, who led the country for 16 years before being unseated by Péter Magyar’s Tisza party in April, slammed the move as a transparent attempt to eliminate political competition. His Fidesz party, now relegated to the opposition, voted against the measure, with allies accusing the new government of weaponizing its super-majority to stifle democratic choice.
The legislation also dismantles the Sovereignty Protection Office, a body established by Orbán in 2023 to monitor foreign interference, and targets 'Kekva' public trust foundations that were previously granted control over significant state assets.
The Magyar administration claims these reforms are necessary to address long-standing corruption concerns that have previously led the European Union to withhold billions in funding.
As the government pivots toward meeting further EU-mandated anti-corruption requirements, the political shift marks a stark departure from the previous decade and a half of Fidesz rule.
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