Hungary's parliament passed legislation Thursday that bars Viktor Orbán from returning to the premiership, capping any prime minister's tenure at eight years total. The vote delivered on a campaign pledge by newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated Orbán's Fidesz party in April elections that marked a historic shift in Hungarian politics.
The constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority, which Magyar's coalition secured. Orbán led Hungary for 12 consecutive years before losing power, making him the primary target of the restriction. The legislation prevents any sitting or former prime minister from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms, effectively ending Orbán's political dominance and closing a path he might have pursued for a comeback.
Magyar campaigned on reversing Orbán's authoritarian drift, vowing to restore judicial independence and strengthen democratic institutions. The term-limit law represents one of his government's early wins against entrenched Fidesz power structures that controlled parliament for nearly a decade.
Orbán's 12-year rule faced consistent criticism from the European Union over judicial independence and press freedom concerns. Magyar's coalition, which includes left-wing and centrist parties unified against Fidesz, now holds the parliamentary strength to reshape Hungarian governance. The new PM has signaled aggressive moves to undo Orbán-era policies, though implementation remains challenging given Fidesz's continued opposition and its loyal base of supporters.
The term-limit amendment reflects Magyar's strategy of locking in constitutional protections rather than relying solely on electoral victories to prevent Orbán's return. It crystallizes Hungary's political realignment and tests whether democratic safeguards can survive the country's polarized climate.