Hungary’s new government under Prime Minister Péter Magyar of the Tisza Party has presented a proposal for a constitutional amendment limiting the prime minister’s maximum term in office to eight years, that is, two four-year terms. The proposal is to be given retroactive effect, which would effectively prevent Viktor Orbán from once again standing as a candidate for prime minister.

Orbán served as prime minister from 1998–2002 and thereafter from 2010 until May 2026 – twenty years in total. The new law will include all time served since 1990 – and permanently close the door on Orbán’s return.

Specially designed to keep Orbán out

The legislative proposal is described by critics as a political “Lex Orbán” – a law specially designed to keep Orbán out.

During the election campaign, Péter Magyar promised to introduce time limits on how long one and the same prime minister may remain in office. The proposal was submitted to the National Assembly on 20 May 2026 and is the first concrete proposal for a constitutional amendment from the new government.

Hungary’s ruling party introduced a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministerial terms to eight years, effectively barring previous incumbent Viktor Orban from ever returning to the position. https://t.co/nwl8Fpoocs

— Bloomberg (@business) May 20, 2026

Tisza won a clear victory with a two-thirds majority in the parliamentary election on 12 April 2026, thereby bringing Orbán’s period in government to an end.

The proposal is expected to be adopted since Tisza holds the necessary majority in parliament.