Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has outlined a comprehensive constitutional reform plan aimed at transforming the country’s political and judicial frameworks. Addressing parliament, Magyar revealed that the administration is working on drafting a new constitution that would impose a 12-year term limit for parliament members, restructure the judiciary, and modify the appointment procedures for senior state officials. Among the proposed changes, a constitutional amendment allowing parliament to replace President Tamás Sulyok before his term ends has sparked significant controversy.
In addition to altering the presidency, the reform package includes changes to the leadership of Hungary’s Constitutional Court. These changes involve restoring the judges’ right to elect the court’s president and re-establishing a retirement age limit of 70. The reforms are poised to affect several senior opposition figures from the Fidesz party, which formerly led the nation under Viktor Orbán. Critics caution that the measures could displace seasoned opposition lawmakers and potentially weaken institutional checks and balances.
The government defends the proposed reforms, asserting that they aim to enhance accountability, combat corruption, and modernize Hungary’s political system. Part of this initiative includes creating a National Asset Recovery Office dedicated to investigating and retrieving public assets allegedly misused by previous administrations. The administration is also contemplating a public referendum to gauge support for these changes, though Hungarian law mandates that at least half of eligible voters must participate for the referendum to be valid.
Opponents of the reforms argue that the government is using constitutional changes as a tool to consolidate power and target political adversaries. Conservative constitutional experts have emphasized that any efforts to recover assets must adhere to due process, property rights, and judicial oversight to prevent constitutional violations. Supporters, however, contend that implementing stronger anti-corruption measures and term limits is crucial for increasing political accountability and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
As Hungary considers one of its most significant constitutional overhauls in recent history, the proposed reforms are likely to provoke heated discussions in parliament and among legal experts. The outcome of these debates could have a lasting impact on the country’s governance and institutional integrity.