Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment that imposes term limits on prime ministers, making it impossible for former Prime Minister Viktor Orban to return to office.
The 16th amendment to the Hungarian Constitution stipulates that no one can hold the post of prime minister for more than eight years in total, i.e. a maximum of two terms.
The rule also applies to terms passed after 1990, excluding Orban, who has led Hungary’s government for many years.
The decision was approved by the Hungarian parliament with 135 votes in favor, 50 against and 6 abstentions. It was supported by the new political majority led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who won the election and promised deep political reforms.
Orban, the leader of the Fidesz party, was prime minister in two terms: from 1998 to 2002 and from 2010 until losing power after the last elections.
Supporters of the reform say that limiting mandates aims to prevent excessive concentration of power in one person, while opponents argue that such a restriction could limit the will of voters.
This change marks a major turning point in Hungarian politics and closes a long chapter dominated by Viktor Orban. /Telegraph/