Prime Ministers Must Stop After Eight Years: Hungary’s New Rule

Hungary has introduced a new rule that caps how long a prime minister can stay in power. The change, filed with the parliament on Wednesday night, limits any leader to a total of eight years in office. It also bars people who have already served that amount from running again, a move that would stop former leader Viktor Orban from returning to the top job. The current prime minister, Peter Magyar, who took over after a 16‑year reign by Orban, said he plans to use his strong majority in parliament to undo laws that were set up by Orban’s party. He wants to bring back stronger checks and balances in the government. The draft says that anyone who has been prime minister for eight years or more cannot be elected again. The rule applies to terms that started after May 2, 1990. It also requires a prime minister to step down once the total of their time in office reaches eight years, or after two terms.Another part of the bill would end the Sovereignty Protection Office, a body created by Orban in 2023 that listed media outlets as threats to Hungary’s sovereignty. The office had the power to investigate activities that could harm the country. The new law also lets the government take back control of public‑interest asset management foundations that run many universities. These foundations were set up by Orban’s administration and hold state assets worth billions of forints. The bill says that, while the foundations are private entities, their assets belong to the nation and can be returned to state control. Overall, the amendment aims to reduce long‑term power concentration and restore democratic oversight in Hungary’s political system.