Constitution of Hungary

The Fundamental Law of Hungary (Hungarian: Magyarország Alaptörvénye), the country's constitution, was adopted on 18 April 2011, promulgated a week later and entered into force on 1 January 2012. As Hungary's first constitution adopted within a democratic framework and following free elections, it succeeded the 1949 Constitution, originally adopted on 20 August 1949 and heavily amended on 23 October 1989. The 1949 Constitution was Hungary's first permanent written constitution, and until its replacement, the country was the only former Eastern Bloc nation that did not adopt an entirely new constitution after the fall of Communism.

Both domestically and abroad, the 2011 constitution has been the subject of controversy. Among the claims critics make are that it was adopted without sufficient input from the opposition and society at large, that it reflects the ideology of the ruling party and enshrines it in office, that it is rooted in a conservative Christian worldview despite Hungary not being a particularly devout country, and that it curtails and politicizes previously independent institutions. The government that enacted the charter has dismissed such assertions, saying it was enshrined lawfully and reflects the popular will.

Hungary

Coordinates: 47°N 20°E / 47°N 20°E / 47; 20

Hungary (ⁱ/ˈhʌŋɡəri/; Hungarian: Magyarország [ˈmɒɟɒrorsaːɡ]) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Romania to the east, Serbia to the south, Croatia to the southwest, Slovenia to the west, Austria to the northwest, and Ukraine to the northeast. The country's capital and largest city is Budapest. Hungary is a member of the European Union, NATO, the OECD, the Visegrád Group, and the Schengen Area. The official language is Hungarian, which is the most widely spoken non-Indo-European language in Europe.

Following centuries of successive habitation by Celts, Romans, Huns, Slavs, Gepids, and Avars, the foundation of Hungary was laid in the late 9th century by the Hungarian grand prince Árpád in the Honfoglalás ("homeland-conquest"). His great-grandson Stephen I ascended to the throne in 1000 CE, converting the country to a Christian kingdom. By the 12th century, Hungary became a middle power within the Western world, reaching a golden age by the 15th century. Following the Battle of Mohács in 1526 and about 150 years of partial Ottoman occupation (1541–1699), Hungary came under Habsburg rule, and later formed a significant part of the Austro–Hungarian Empire (1867–1918).

Viktor Orbán

Viktor Orbán (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈorbaːn ˈviktor]; born 31 May 1963) is a Hungarian jurist and politician who has been Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010 and the president of the national conservative ruling party Fidesz from 1993 to 2000 and since 2003. Previously he also served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002.

Having earned a law degree, Orbán entered politics in the wake of the Revolutions of 1989 as a key figure of the radical student movement. He became a nationally known politician after his powerful speech at the reburial of Imre Nagy and other '56 martyrs on 16 June 1989. Following the transition to democracy in 1990, he was elected to the National Assembly for the first time and functioned as leader of his party's parliamentary caucus until 1994. Under his party leadership, Fidesz gradually transformed itself from a "radical liberal force" into a center-right people's party by 1994. Fidesz gained power at first in 1998, with electing Orbán as Prime Minister, who governed Hungary in a right-wing coalition government. During his appointment, he became the country's second youngest premier ever. Orbán narrowly lost the 2002 national election to the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), and became Leader of the Opposition. The Fidesz lost the 2006 election too, despite two defeats in a row, Orbán was able to maintain the position of party president.

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime minister is the presiding member and chairman of the cabinet. In a minority of systems, notably in semi-presidential systems of government, a prime minister is the official who is appointed to manage the civil service and execute the directives of the head of state.

In parliamentary systems fashioned after the Westminster system, the prime minister is the presiding and actual head of government and head of the executive branch. In such systems, the head of state or the head of state's official representative (i.e. the monarch, president, or governor-general) usually holds a largely ceremonial position, although often with reserve powers.

The prime minister is often, but not always, a member of parliament and is expected with other ministers to ensure the passage of bills through the legislature. In some monarchies the monarch may also exercise executive powers (known as the royal prerogative) that are constitutionally vested in the crown and may be exercised without the approval of parliament.