Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has unveiled ambitious plans for a substantial overhaul of the nation’s constitution, a move poised to significantly reshape Hungary’s political and judicial framework. Addressing parliament, Magyar outlined proposals that include a 12-year term limit for members of parliament, comprehensive judicial reforms, and modifications to the process for appointing top state officials. Notably, one of the proposals seeks to terminate the term of current President Tamás Sulyok via constitutional amendment, enabling parliament to appoint a new head of state before his mandate concludes.
The proposed changes extend to the leadership of Hungary’s Constitutional Court. They involve reinstating the right of judges to elect the court’s president and reintroducing a retirement age limit of 70 for judges. These reforms are anticipated to impact several senior figures from the opposition Fidesz party, which previously governed Hungary under Viktor Orbán. Critics express concern that these measures might remove seasoned opposition lawmakers from parliament and undermine institutional checks and balances.
Magyar’s administration asserts that these reforms aim to bolster accountability, combat corruption, and modernize Hungary’s political system. An integral part of this initiative is the establishment of a National Asset Recovery Office tasked with investigating and recovering public assets allegedly misused by past administrations. In a bid to legitimize the reforms, the government is considering a public referendum, although Hungarian law mandates that at least half of eligible voters must participate for the referendum to be binding.
While opponents accuse Magyar’s government of leveraging constitutional changes to consolidate power and target political adversaries, conservative constitutional experts caution that any asset recovery initiatives must respect due process, property rights, and judicial oversight to avoid infringing on constitutional protections. Supporters, however, contend that introducing stronger anti-corruption mechanisms and term limits is essential to enhance political accountability and restore public trust in state institutions.
The sweeping proposals are set to ignite vigorous debate in Hungary’s parliament and among legal experts, marking one of the most significant constitutional reforms the country has considered in recent years.