Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with eight-year limit for prime mi

Hungary’s parliament approved a constitutional amendment that allows prime ministers to serve for a maximum of eight years, ‌effectively barring former premier Viktor Orban from holding the role again, Reuters reported.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar ousted Orban in an election in April after 16 years, gaining a two-thirds majority in parliament ⁠that allows his party to roll back or change legislation passed by Orban’s Fidesz, including the constitution.

According to Reuters, the amendment says that those who had previously held the role of prime minister for at least eight years “cannot be elected prime minister.” This applies to prime ministerial terms held after the ‌date ⁠of May 2, 1990.

Prime ministers will have to leave office after a total of eight years, or two terms.

The constitutional amendment also paves the way for ⁠the dissolution of the Sovereignty Protection Office, set up by Orban’s government, that stigmatized opposition figures and journalists for ⁠serving “foreign interests.”

In addition, the amendment gives back the founders’ rights of so-called public-interest asset-management foundations to ⁠the state. Orban’s government transferred state assets worth hundreds of billions of forints to these foundations.

The amendment was submitted by Hungary’s ruling Tisza party and approved by 135 votes in favor and 50 against, with 6 abstentions.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar has said he would use his super majority in parliament to unwind and change legislation passed by Orban’s Fidesz, ⁠including the constitution, with the aim of restoring democratic checks and balances.