Written by Yann-Sven Rittelmeyer.
Introduction to Hungary’s parliamentary system
Hungary is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral parliament, the Országgyűlés (National Assembly). The structure and functioning of Hungary’s political system are determined by the Fundamental Law of 25 April 2011, which has been amended 12 times since its entry into force in 2012.
The National Assembly elects the President of the Republic (head of state), whose role is primarily representative but entails some complementary and controlling competences vis-à-vis the legislative, executive and judicial powers. The executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, proposed by the President and elected by the National Assembly. The Prime Minister chooses the ministers, who together with him/her, compose the government. The Prime Minister also defines the government’s general policy. Ministers are accountable for their actions to both the National Assembly and the Prime Minister. Only the Prime Minister can dismiss them, and the government’s mandate is linked to that of the Prime Minister.
This briefing is part of an EPRS series on national parliaments and EU affairs. It offers an overview of the way the EU Member States’ national parliaments are structured and how they process, scrutinise and engage with EU legislation. It also refers to relevant publications by national parliaments.
The National Assembly is Hungary’s supreme organ of popular representation. It is in charge of adopting and amending the Fundamental Law, adopting legislative acts, and scrutinising the government’s activities. The members of the National Assembly are elected every 4 years by universal, equal, direct and secret vote. The Act CCIII of 2011 on the election of members of the National Assembly reformed the electoral system by establishing a single-round election with 106 members elected in individual voting districts and 93 members elected through national-level lists. The reform allowed Hungarian citizens living abroad to participate in the ballot (although they can only vote for national party lists), and national minorities to elect national minorities members.
The European Parliament and the European Commission have repeatedly raised concerns about the current functioning of Hungary’s constitutional and electoral system. According to the most recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament, the Hungarian government is responsible for the ‘persistent systemic and deliberate breach of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary’.
Read the complete briefing on ‘The Hungarian Parliament and EU affairs‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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