Lex Orbán – do we really want to resemble Thailand or Belize?

Hungary is currently debating a significant constitutional amendment proposed by the Tisza party, which seeks to cap the prime minister's term at eight years. This move has ignited a fierce political and legal discussion, with many observers viewing it as a direct attempt to thwart Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's potential return to power in the future.

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The question is, who do we want to resemble, Thailand, Belize, or Western European countries where there is no such restriction for the prime minister.

The proposed legislation stipulates that an individual cannot serve as prime minister for more than eight years, whether consecutively or with interruptions, after May 2, 1990. Furthermore, it suggests that a prime minister's mandate would automatically cease upon reaching this eight-year limit. This has led to sharp criticism from legal scholars, including Tamás Lattman and Béla Pokol, who have pointed out numerous practical and constitutional issues with the proposal, questioning its enforceability in various scenarios, such as during a constructive vote of no confidence or if a prime minister reaches the term limit mid-mandate.

From a broader European perspective, as noted by Zoltán Kiszelly, the director of the Századvég Center for Political Knowledge, such term limits for prime ministers are highly unusual in parliamentary democracies. Most European nations do not impose constitutional restrictions on how long a prime minister can serve, relying instead on electoral accountability. This Hungarian initiative, therefore, stands out as a departure from established norms in European constitutionalism.

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The proposal clearly aims to prevent Orbán Viktor's return.

Magyar Nemzet, as a publication often aligned with conservative viewpoints, acknowledges the political motivations behind the amendment while also highlighting the legal and international context. The debate raises fundamental questions about the nature of democratic governance in Hungary: should term limits be imposed to prevent the entrenchment of power, or should the electorate's choice be paramount? The article prompts reflection on whether Hungary should emulate countries like Thailand or Belize, or adhere more closely to the Western European model where such restrictions are largely absent, allowing for continuity and experienced leadership if supported by the voters.

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The text of the proposal clearly shows that the initiative is aimed at limiting Orbán Viktor's political room to maneuver.