Hungarian Parliament Passes Constitutional Amendment Limiting Prime Ministers to Eight Years

Hungarian members of parliament passed a constitutional amendment on 15 June 2026 that limits prime ministerial terms to eight years. The measure prevents former longtime leader Viktor Orban from seeking another term in office. One hundred and fifty MPs voted in favour, 50 voted against, and six abstained.

The amendment passed despite opposition from Orban’s Fidesz party. Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party secured a constitutional majority after winning a landslide victory in the April 2026 parliamentary elections. That election ended Orban’s 16 years in power.

The term-limit reform is one of the first major changes introduced by Magyar as he seeks to improve Budapest’s relations with the European Union. In his first weeks in office, Magyar pledged to lead Hungary to adopt the euro currency. Last week, Magyar agreed to lift Hungary’s longstanding veto against Ukraine’s EU accession process.

Kyiv officially started the accession track on 15 June 2026. The same parliamentary session also removed a provision requiring an independent body to safeguard Hungary’s constitutional identity. The Sovereignty Protection Office was created in 2023 under that provision.

Human Rights Watch compiled a list of measures in April 2026 that included closure of the Sovereignty Protection Office. MPs are scheduled to vote on a bill to dissolve the office at the end of June 2026. Orban was re-elected leader of the Fidesz party on 13 June 2026.

“The Orban law has been passed. That was the most pressing issue… If I’m needed, I’ll be here,” Orban posted on social media.