According to media reports, Hungary's ruling coalition has announced plans to advance legislation limiting parliamentary terms to 12 years and imposing a mandatory retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges — a move that would force out Chief Justice Peter Polt, appointed under the previous Orbán government.
The proposal, reported Monday afternoon by Hungarian media outlet M1 (via Mtiar), marks a significant new front in the ongoing political struggle over judicial independence in Hungary. The ruling Fidesz-led coalition aims to impose a 12-year term limit on all Members of Parliament and set a mandatory retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges — a move that would directly target Chief Justice Peter Polt, a close ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Fidesz maintains that the reform is needed to ensure generational turnover and prevent entrenchment. Critics argue the real goal is to purge the judiciary of Orbán-era appointees and consolidate power after Orbán’s 2022 electoral defeat. As The Zioneer previously reported, the Hungarian parliament last year approved a constitutional amendment capping prime ministerial terms at eight years — effectively blocking Orbán from returning to office. This latest legislative package represents an escalation of the governing coalition's effort to reshape state institutions. The bill's path through parliament, where Fidesz holds a majority, is widely expected, though the measure may face Constitutional Court review.
2 developments
- StrongHungary parliament passes constitutional amendment limiting PM terms to 8 years
- DevelopingHungarian PM Magyar pushes constitutional amendment to impeach President Sulyok
- DevelopingHungary's ruling party files bill to overhaul public broadcasting
- DevelopingSupreme Court President warns political appointments will reshape judiciary within 15 years
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