The Constitution of the Republic of Hungary (Act XX of 1949), Hungary

Act XX of 1949

The Constitution of the Republic of Hungary

In order to facilitate a peaceful political transition to a constitutional state, establish a multi­party system, parliamentary democracy and a social market economy, the Parliament of the Republic of Hungary hereby establishes the following text as the Constitution of the Republic of Hungary, until the country’s new Constitution is adopted.

Chapter I.

General Provisions

Article 1.

The State of Hungary is a republic.

Article 2.

(1) The Republic of Hungary is an independent, democratic constitutional state. (2) In the Republic of Hungary supreme power is vested in the people, who exercise their sovereign rights

directly and through elected representatives. (3) No activity of any person may be directed at the forcible acquisition or exercise of public power, nor at

the exclusive possession of such power. Everyone has the right and obligation to resist such activities in such ways as permitted by law.

Article 2/A.

(1) By virtue of treaty, the Republic of Hungary, in its capacity as a Member State of the European Union, may exercise certain constitutional powers jointly with other Member States to the extent necessary in connection with the rights and obligations conferred by the treaties on the foundation of the European Union and the European Communities (hereinafter referred to as ‘European Union’); these powers may be exercised independently and by way of the institutions of the European Union.

(2) The ratification and promulgation of the treaty referred to in Subsection (1) shall be subject to a two­ thirds majority vote of the Parliament.

Article 3.

(1) In the Republic of Hungary political parties may be established and may function freely, provided they respect the Constitution and laws established in accordance with the Constitution.

(2) Political parties shall participate in the development and expression of the popular will. (3) Political parties may not exercise public power directly. Accordingly, no single party may exercise

exclusive control of a government body. In the interest of ensuring the separation of political parties and public power, the law shall determine those functions and public offices which may not be held by party members or officers.

Article 4.

Labor unions and other representative bodies shall protect and represent the interests of employees, members of co­operatives and entrepreneurs.

Article 5.

The State of the Republic of Hungary shall defend the freedom and sovereignty of the people, the independence and territorial integrity of the country, and its national borders as established in international treaties.

Article 6.

(1) The Republic of Hungary renounces war as a means of solving disputes between nations and shall refrain from the use of force and the threat thereof against the independence or territorial integrity of other states.

(2) The Republic of Hungary shall endeavor to co­operate with all peoples and countries of the world.

(3) The Republic of Hungary bears a sense of responsibility for the fate of Hungarians living outside its borders and shall promote and foster their relations with Hungary.

(4) The Republic of Hungary shall take an active part in establishing a European unity in order to achieve freedom, well­being and security for the peoples of Europe.

Article 7.

(1) The legal system of the Republic of Hungary accepts the generally recognized principles of international law, and shall harmonize the country’s domestic law with the obligations assumed under international law.

(2)

Article 7/A.

(1) General binding rules of conduct may be laid down in legal acts adopted by bodies vested with legislative power by the Constitution.

(2) Legal act shall mean acts of parliament, government decrees, decrees adopted by the Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, decrees adopted by the Prime Minister and other ministers, the President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete (Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority), the President of the Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság (National Media and Infocommunications Authority), as well as municipal decrees. Moreover, legal act shall also mean the decrees issued by the National Defense Council during a state of martial law or by the President of the Republic in a state of emergency.

(3) Legal acts shall be published in the official journal of the Republic of Hungary. An act passed by Parliament with two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present may contain different provisions for the publication of municipal decrees, decrees issued by the National Defense Council or the President of the Republic, as well as government decrees adopted under Article 35(3).

(4) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required for passing a law on legislation.

Article 8.

(1) The Republic of Hungary recognizes inviolable and inalienable fundamental human rights. The respect and protection of these rights is a primary obligation of the State.

(2) In the Republic of Hungary regulations pertaining to fundamental rights and duties are determined by law; such law, however, may not restrict the basic meaning and contents of fundamental rights.

(3) (4) During a state of national crisis, state of emergency or state of danger, the exercise of fundamental rights

may be suspended or restricted, with the exception of the fundamental rights specified in Articles 54. ­56., Paragraphs (2)­(4) of Article 57., Article 60., Articles 66. ­69. and Article 70/E.

Article 9.

(1) The economy of Hungary is a market economy, in which public and private property shall receive equal consideration and protection under the law.

(2) The Republic of Hungary recognizes and supports the right to enterprise and the freedom of competition in the economy.

Article 10.

(1) Property of the State of Hungary is considered national wealth. (2) Fields of ownership and economic activity deemed to be the sole domain of the State shall be defined by

law.

Article 11.

Enterprises and economic organizations owned by the State shall conduct business in such manner and with such responsibilities as defined by law.

Article 12.

(1) The State shall support co­operatives based on voluntary association and shall recognize the autonomy of such co­operatives.

(2) The State shall respect the property of local governments.

Article 13.

(1) The Republic of Hungary guarantees the right to property.

(2) Expropriation shall only be permitted in exceptional cases, when such action is in the public interest, and only in such cases and in the manner stipulated by law, with provision of full, unconditional and immediate compensation.

Article 14.

The Constitution guarantees the right of inheritance.

Article 15.

The Republic of Hungary shall protect the institutions of marriage and the family.

Article 16.

The Republic of Hungary shall make special efforts to ensure a secure standard of living, instruction and education for the young, and shall protect the interests of the young.

Article 17.

The Republic of Hungary shall provide support for those in need through a wide range of social measures.

Article 18.

The Republic of Hungary recognizes and shall implement the individual’s right to a healthy environment.

Chapter II.

The Parliament

Article 19.

(1) The Parliament is the supreme body of State power and popular representation in the Republic of Hungary.

(2) Exercising its rights based on the sovereignty of the people, the Parliament shall ensure the constitutional order of society and define the organization, orientation and conditions of government.

(3) Within this sphere of authority, the Parliament shall ­ a) adopt the Constitution of the Republic of Hungary; ­ b) pass legislation; ­ c) define the country’s social and economic policy; ­ d) assess the balance of public finances, approve the State Budget and its implementation; ­ e) decide on the Government’s program; ­ f) conclude international treaties of outstanding importance to the foreign relations of the Republic of ­

Hungary; g) decide on the declaration of a state of war and on the conclusion of peace; h) declare a state of national crisis and establish the National Defense Council, in the case of war, or

imminent danger of armed attack by a foreign power (danger of war); i) declare a state of emergency, in the case of armed actions aimed at overturning constitutional order or at

the acquisition of exclusive control of public power, in the case of acts of violence committed by force of arms or by armed groups which gravely endanger lives and property on a mass scale, and in the event of natural or industrial disaster; j) with the exceptions laid down in the Constitution, rule on the use of the Hungarian Armed Forces both

abroad and within the country, the deployment of foreign armed forces in Hungary or in other countries from the territory of Hungary, and the stationing of the Hungarian Armed Forces abroad or of foreign armed forces in Hungary; k) elect the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the members of the Constitutional Court, the

Parliamentary Ombudsmen, the President and Vice­Presidents of the State Audit Office, the President of the Supreme Court and the General Prosecutor; l) upon recommendation made by the Government, which shall first be submitted to the Constitutional Court

for its review, dissolve representative bodies of local government whose actions have been found unconstitutional, decide on the territory of counties, their designation and seat, as well as the declaration of cities with county­level rights and the establishment of the Districts of the Capital; m) exercise general amnesty.

n) in the event of an imminent armed invasion or if necessary in connection with the country’s commitment under alliance, declare (extend) a state of preventive defense emergency, and shall empower the Government to take the measures necessary.

(4) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament shall be required for the decisions specified in points g), h) and i) of Paragraph. 3.

(5) (6) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament in attendance shall be required for

the decision specified in Subparagraphs j) and n) of Paragraph (3).

Article 19/A.

(1) Should the Parliament be obstructed in reaching such decisions, the President of the Republic shall have the right to declare a state of war, a state of national crisis and establish the National Defense Council, or to declare a state of emergency.

(2) The Parliament shall be considered to be obstructed in reaching such decisions, if it is not in session and convening it is impossible due to lack of time or due to the events responsible for the declaration of the state of war, state of national crisis or state of emergency.

(3) The Speaker of Parliament, the President of the Constitutional Court and the Prime Minister shall jointly determine whether the Parliament is obstructed, and whether a declaration of a state of war, a state of national crisis or a state of emergency is justified.

(4) At its first meeting following the end of the obstruction, the Parliament shall review the justification of the declaration of a state of war, state of national crisis or state of emergency, and shall rule on the legality of the measures taken. A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament is required for this decision.

Article 19/B.

(1) During a state of martial law, the National Defense Council shall decide a) on the use of the Hungarian Armed Forces abroad and within the country, the participation of the

Hungarian Armed Forces in peacekeeping missions, humanitarian operations in foreign theaters, and the stationing of armed forces in a foreign country, b) on the deployment of foreign armed forces in Hungary or in other countries from the territory of

Hungary, and on the stationing of foreign armed forces in Hungary, c) on the introduction of emergency measures as defined in a separate law. (2) The National Defense Council is chaired by the President of the Republic, and is composed of the

following members: the Speaker of Parliament, the floor leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Armed Forces with the right of consultation.

(3) The National Defense Council shall exercise ­ a) the powers transferred to it by the Parliament; ­ b) the powers of the President of the Republic; ­ c) the powers of the Government. ­ (4) The National Defense Council may pass decrees, which may suspend the application of certain laws or

which may deviate from the provisions of certain laws. Furthermore, it may take other extraordinary measures, but may not, however, suspend the application of the Constitution.

(5) Decrees passed by the National Defense Council shall lose validity upon cessation of the state of national crisis, unless the Parliament extends the validity of such decrees.

(6) The operation of the Constitutional Court may not be restricted during a state of national crisis.

Article 19/C.

(1) Should Parliament be obstructed upon declaration of a state of emergency, the President of the Republic shall decide on the use of the Hungarian Armed Forces under Subsection (2) of Section 40/B.

(2) The President of the Republic shall introduce emergency measures, which are defined in a separate law, by decree during a state of emergency.

(3) The President of the Republic shall immediately inform the Speaker of Parliament of any emergency measures that have been introduced. The Parliament or, should the Parliament be obstructed, the Parliamentary Defense Committee shall remain in session during a state of emergency. The Parliament, or the Parliamentary Defense Committee, shall have the right to suspend emergency measures introduced by the President of the Republic.

(4) Emergency measures introduced by decree shall remain in force for a period of thirty days, unless the Parliament or, should the Parliament be obstructed, the Parliamentary Defense Committee extends their validity.

(5) In other respects the regulations pertaining to a state of national crisis shall apply to a state of emergency.

Article 19/D.

A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law specifying the detailed regulations to be applied during a state of national crisis and a state of emergency.

Article 19/E.

(1) In the event that the territory of Hungary is subject to an unexpected attack by foreign armed units, immediate action shall, in accordance with the defense plan approved by the Government and the President of the Republic, be taken ­ with forces that are commensurate to the gravity of the attack and equipped for such a role ­ prior to the declaration of a state of emergency or a state of martial law in order to repel such attack, defend the territorial integrity of the country with the active air and air defense forces of the Hungarian and allied armed forces, ensure constitutional order and the security of lives and property, protect public order and safety.

(2) In the interest of determining further measures to be taken, the Government shall immediately inform the Parliament and the President of the Republic on the measures taken on the basis of Paragraph (1).

(3) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law specifying the regulations applicable to immediate measures to be taken by the Government.

Article 20.

(1) The general election of Members of Parliament ­ with the exception of elections held due to the declaration of the Parliament's dissolution or the Parliament having been dissolved ­ shall be held in the month of April or May in the fourth year following the election of the previous Parliament.

(2) Members of Parliament shall carry out their duties in the public interest. (3) Members of Parliament are granted parliamentary immunity, in accordance with the regulations of the

law defining the legal status of Members of Parliament. (4) Members of Parliament shall be entitled to remuneration adequate to ensure their independence. A

majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required to pass the law on the remuneration of Members of Parliament.

(5) A Member of Parliament may not be the President of the Republic, a member of the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman for Civil Rights, the President, Vice President or accountant of the State Audit Office, a judge or prosecutor, the employee of an administrative body ­ with the exception of the members of the Government, state secretaries and appointed government officials ­ nor an active member of the Hungarian Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies. Other cases of incompatibility may be established by law.

(6) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law on the legal status of Members of Parliament.

Article 20/A.

(1) The mandate of a Member of Parliament shall end ­ a) upon completion of the term of Parliament; ­ b) upon the death of the Member of Parliament; ­ c) upon declaration of a conflict of interest; ­ d) upon resignation; ­ e) upon disfranchisement. ­ (2) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required for the

Parliament to establish a conflict of interest. (3) Members of Parliament may resign their mandate by making a statement to this effect to the Parliament.

A statement of acceptance by the Parliament is not required for the resignation to be effective.

Article 21.

(1) The Parliament shall elect the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speakers and Clerks from among its Members.

(2) The Parliament shall establish standing committees from among its members and may delegate a committee for the investigation of any issue whatsoever.

(3) Everyone is obliged to provide Parliamentary Committees with the information requested and is obliged to testify before such committees.

Article 22.

(1) The Parliament shall hold two regular sessions annually: every year from the 1st of February through the 15th of June and from the 1st of September through the 15th of December.

(2) The inaugural sitting of the Parliament shall be convened by the President of the Republic within a period of one month following the elections; in other cases the Speaker of Parliament is responsible for convening sessions of the Parliament and its individual sittings.

(3) Upon written request by the President of the Republic, the Government or one­fifth of the Members of Parliament, an extraordinary sitting of the Parliament shall be convened. Such request shall contain the grounds for convening the extraordinary sitting, as well as the proposed date and agenda.

(4) The Parliament may be adjourned by the President of the Republic no more than once per parliamentary session and for a period not to exceed thirty days.

(5) During the period of adjournment the Speaker of Parliament shall re­convene the Parliament, at a date no later than eight days following the receipt of a written request to this effect, signed by one­fifth of the Members of Parliament.

Article 23.

Sittings of the Parliament are open to the public. Upon petition by the President of the Republic, the Government or any Member of Parliament and with the assent of two­thirds of its Members, the Parliament may decide to hold a closed sitting.

Article 24.

(1) The Parliament has a quorum if no less than half of its members are present. (2) The Parliament shall pass decisions with a majority of one­half of the votes of the Members of

Parliament present. (3) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament is required to amend the Constitution

and for certain decisions specified therein. (4) The Parliament shall establish its rules of procedure and speaking order in the House Rules. A majority

of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the House Rules. (5) Parliament shall adopt the acts required for the implementation of the Basic Law of Hungary (hereinafter

referred to as “Basic Law”) subject to the voting ratio defined by the Basic Law.

Article 25.

(1) Legislation may be initiated by the President of the Republic, the Government, all Parliamentary Committees, and any Member of Parliament.

(2) The authority to pass legislation is vested in the Parliament. (3) The Speaker of Parliament shall sign laws which have been passed by the Parliament and subsequently

send such laws to the President of the Republic.

Article 26.

(1) The President of the Republic shall ratify and order the promulgation of a law presented within fifteen days from the day of receipt, or within a period of five days if the Speaker of Parliament submits a request of urgency.

(2) Should the President of the Republic disagree with a law or with any provision of a law, prior to ratification, he shall refer such law, along with his comments, to the Parliament for reconsideration within the period of time specified in Par. (1).

(3) The Parliament shall debate the law again and hold another vote on its passage. The President of the Republic shall be required to ratify the law presented subsequently by the Speaker of Parliament, and shall order its promulgation within a period of five days.

(4) Should the President of the Republic have reservations about the constitutionality of any provision of a law, he may refer such law to the Constitutional Court for review within the period of time specified in Par. (1) prior to ratification.

(5) If the Constitutional Court has declared ­ in priority proceedings ­ a law unconstitutional, the President of the Republic shall refer the law back to the Parliament, or shall ratify and promulgate the law within a period of five days in all other cases.

(6) The President of the Republic shall ratify the law subject to national referendum if such law is confirmed by the national referendum.

Article 27.

Members of Parliament may direct a question or interpellation to the Ombudsmen for Civil Rights and the Ombudsmen for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities, to the President of the Állami Számvevıszék

(State Audit Office), the Attorney General and the Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, to the Government or any of the Members of the Government on matters which fall within their respective sphere of competence.

Article 28.

(1) The term of Parliament commences from its inaugural sitting. (2) The Parliament has the right to declare its dissolution prior to the completion of its term. (3) The President of the Republic has the right to dissolve the Parliament, simultaneously with the

announcement of new elections, if ­ a) the Parliament passes a motion of no­confidence in the Government on no less than four occasions in a

period of twelve months during the course of one term, or; b) in the event that the mandate of the Government ends, a candidate for Prime Minister proposed by the

President of the Republic is not elected by the Parliament within a period of forty days from the day upon which the first candidate is nominated.

(4) (5) Prior to dissolving the Parliament, the President of the Republic is required to request the opinions of the

Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament and the floor leaders of the parties represented in the Parliament. (6) A new Parliament shall be elected within a period of three months following the declaration of the

Parliament's dissolution or the Parliament having been dissolved. (7) The Parliament shall continue to operate until the inaugural sitting of the new Parliament.

Article 28/A.

(1) During a state of national crisis or a state of emergency the Parliament may neither declare its dissolution nor be dissolved.

(2) Should a term of Parliament expire during a state of national crisis or a state of emergency, its mandate shall be extended until the cessation of the state of national crisis or state of emergency.

(3) During a state of war, the danger of war or an emergency, the President of the Republic may reconvene a Parliament which has declared its dissolution or which has been dissolved. The Parliament itself shall pass a resolution on the extension of its mandate.

Article 28/B.

(1) The subject of national referenda or popular initiatives may fall under the jurisdiction of the Parliament. (2) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required for the

Parliament to pass the law on national referenda and popular initiatives.

Article 28/C.

(1) A national referendum may be held for reaching a decision or for an expression of opinion. Carrying out a national referendum may be mandatory or may be the result of the consideration of a matter.

(2) A national referendum shall be held if so initiated by at least 200,000 voting citizens. (3) If a national referendum is mandatory, the result of the successfully held national referendum shall be

binding for the Parliament. (4) Based on its consideration, the Parliament may order a national referendum upon the initiative by the

President of the Republic, the Government, by one­third of Members of the Parliament or by 100,000 voting citizens.

(5) National referendum may not be held on the following subjects: a) on laws on the central budget, the execution of the central budget, taxes to the central government and

duties, customs tariffs, and on the central government conditions for local taxes, b) obligations set forth in valid international treaties and on the contents of laws prescribing such

obligations, c) the provisions of the Constitution on national referenda and popular initiatives, d) personnel and restructuring (reorganization, termination) matters falling under Parliamentary jurisdiction, e) dissolution of the Parliament, f) the Government's program, g) declaration of a state of war, a state of emergency or a state of national crisis, h) use of the Hungarian Armed Forces abroad or within the country, i) dissolution of the representative body of local governments, j) amnesty. (6) A national ratification referendum shall be considered successful if more than half of the votes of the

citizens voting are valid, but at least more than one­quarter of all eligible voters have given the same answer in the referendum.

Article 28/D.

At least 50,000 voting citizens are required for a national popular initiative. A national popular initiative may be for the purpose of forcing the Parliament to place a subject under its jurisdiction on the agenda. The Parliament shall debate the subject defined by the national popular initiative.

Article 28/E.

In order to call a national referendum, signatures may be collected for a period of four months in the case of a civic initiative, and for a period of two months in the case of a national popular initiative.

Chapter III.

The President of the Republic

Article 29.

(1) Hungary’s Head of State is the President of the Republic, who represents the unity of the nation and monitors the democratic operation of the State.

(2) The President of the Republic is the Commander in Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces.

Article 29/A.

(1) The Parliament shall elect the President of the Republic for a term of five years. (2) Any enfranchised Hungarian citizen who has reached the age of thirty­five prior to the date of the

election may be elected to the office of President of the Republic. (3) The President of the Republic may be re­elected to such office no more than once.

Article 29/B.

(1) The election of the President of the Republic shall be preceded by the nomination of a candidate. The written recommendation of no less than fifty Members of Parliament is required for such a nomination to be valid. The nomination must be submitted to the Speaker of Parliament prior to the announcement of the election. No Member of Parliament may nominate more than one candidate. If a Member of Parliament nominates more than one candidate, all nominations made by the Member shall be invalid.

(2) The Parliament shall elect the President of the Republic by secret ballot. Voting may be repeated should this prove necessary. The candidate who receives a majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament in the first round of voting is elected President of the Republic.

(3) Should no candidate receive such a majority in the first round of voting, the voting process must be repeated, in accordance with Par. (1). A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament shall also be required to be elected in the second round of voting.

(4) Should no candidate win the required majority in the second round of voting, a third round of voting shall be held. In the third round of voting only those two candidates who received the largest numbers of votes in the second round may stand for election. The candidate receiving a majority of the votes ­ regardless of the number of votes cast ­ in the third round of voting is elected President of the Republic.

(5) The election procedure shall be completed within a period of no more than three consecutive days.

Article 29/C.

(1) The President of the Republic must be elected within a period of 30 days prior to the expiration of the President’s mandate or, should the President’s mandate end prematurely, within 30 days from the date upon which the mandate ends.

(2) The Speaker of Parliament shall announce the elections for the office of President of the Republic.

Article 29/D.

The newly elected President of the Republic shall enter office upon expiration of the previous President’s mandate or, should the President’s mandate end prematurely, on the eighth day following the announcement of the result of the elections. Prior to entering office, the President of the Republic shall take an oath before Parliament.

Article 29/E.

(1) In the event that the President should be temporarily prevented from attending to his duties, or that his mandate should for any reason end prematurely, the Speaker of Parliament shall exercise the powers of the President of the Republic until the newly elected President enters office. Such powers are limited to the extent that the Speaker may not refer laws to the Parliament for consideration, nor to the Constitutional Court for

review, may not dissolve the Parliament, and may only grant pardons to individuals upon whom final conviction has been passed.

(2) While acting as the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament may not exercise his powers as a Member of Parliament, and his duties as Speaker of Parliament shall be attended to by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament designated by the Parliament.

Article 30.

(1) The office of President of the Republic is incompatible with all other public, social and political offices or mandates. The President of the Republic shall not be otherwise gainfully employed and shall not accept remuneration for other activities, with the exception of such activities which fall under the protection of copyright.

(2) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law on the amount of compensation, allowances and reimbursement due to the President of the Republic.

Article 30/A.

(1) The President of the Republic shall ­ a) represent the State of Hungary; ­ b) conclude international treaties in the name of the Republic of Hungary; if the subject of the treaty falls ­

within its legislative competence, prior ratification by the Parliament is necessary for conclusion of the treaty; c) accredit and receive ambassadors and envoys; d) announce general parliamentary and local government elections, mayoral elections as well as the dates of

the European parliamentary elections and national referenda; e) have the right to participate in and speak at sittings of the Parliament and of its committees; f) have the right to petition the Parliament to take action; g) have the right to initiate national referenda; h)

i) appoint and dismiss the Governor and deputy governors of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete (Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority) and university professors by recommendation of persons or organizations specified in a separate law; appoint and dismiss the university rectors; appoint and promote generals; and confirm the President of the Magyar Tudományos Akadémia (Hungarian Academy of Sciences) in his office; j) confer titles, orders, awards and decorations specified by law and authorize the use thereof; ­ k) exercise the right to grant individual pardons; ­ l) issue rulings in cases of citizenship; ­ m) issue rulings in all issues assigned to his sphere of authority on the basis of separate laws. ­ (2) The counter­signature of the Prime Minister or responsible Minister is required for all of the measures

and actions of the President of the Republic listed in Paragraph (1), with the exception of the items specified in Points a), d), e), f) and g).

Article 31.

(1) The mandate of the President of the Republic shall end ­ a) upon completion of the term of office; ­ b) upon the death of the President; ­ c) upon incapacitation preventing him from attending to his duties for a period of more than ninety days; ­ d) upon declaration of a conflict of interest; ­ e) upon resignation; ­ f) upon removal from the office of President. ­ (2) Should grounds for a conflict of interest [Article 30, Par. (1)] involving the President of the Republic

arise during his term of office, any Member of Parliament may petition the Parliament to decide on a declaration of a conflict of interest. A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament is necessary to carry such a resolution. Voting shall be held by secret ballot.

(3) The President of the Republic may resign from office by addressing a statement to this effect to the Parliament. A statement of acceptance on behalf of the Parliament is required for the resignation to be valid. Within a period of fifteen days the Parliament may request that the President of the Republic reconsider the decision. Should the President of the Republic stand by the decision, the Parliament may not deny recognition of his resignation.

(4) The President of the Republic may be removed from office on the basis of an intentional violation of the Constitution or any other law committed while in office.

Article 31/A.

(1) The person of the President of the Republic is inviolable; protection from criminal prosecution shall be granted by a separate law.

(2) Should the President of the Republic violate the Constitution or any other law while in office, a motion supported by one­fifth of the Members of Parliament may propose that impeachment proceedings be initiated against the President of the Republic.

(3) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament is required to initiate impeachment proceedings. Voting shall be held by secret ballot.

(4) From passage of this resolution by the Parliament until the conclusion of the impeachment proceedings, the President of the Republic may not attend to any of the duties of his office.

(5) The Constitutional Court shall have jurisdiction in such cases. (6) Should the Constitutional Court determine that the law was violated, it shall have the authority to

remove the President of the Republic from office. (7)­(8)

Article 32.

(1) If impeachment proceedings are initiated against the President of the Republic on the basis of an indictable offense committed in connection with official activities while in office, then the Constitutional Court shall also apply the basic provisions of criminal prosecution in its proceedings. The prosecution shall be represented by a Special Prosecutor elected from among the Members of Parliament.

(2) In other cases, criminal proceedings against the President of the Republic may only be initiated subsequent to the end of his term of office.

(3) Should the Constitutional Court find the President of the Republic guilty of an intentional criminal offense, it may remove the President of the Republic from office and simultaneously apply any punishment and measures prescribed for such offense in the Penal Code.

Chapter IV.

The Constitutional Court

Article 32/A.

(1) Subject to the exceptions set out in the Constitution, the Constitutional Court shall review the constitutionality of laws and attend to other duties assigned to its jurisdiction by law.

(2) The Constitutional Court shall have powers to review laws on the central budget, the implementation of the central budget, central tax revenues, duties and contributions, customs duties, and on the central government conditions for local taxes, if the grounds cited in the petition for the alleged breach of the Constitution is limited to any violation of inherent rights to life and human dignity, the right to the protection of personal data, the right to freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, or the rights granted under Article 69 in connection with Hungarian citizenship, and it mentions no other reasons.

(3) The Constitutional Court shall annul any laws and other statutes that it declares unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court shall have powers to annul laws on the central budget, the implementation of the central budget, central tax revenues, duties and contributions, customs duties, and on the central government conditions for local taxes, if they contain any provision in violation of inherent rights to life and human dignity, the right to the protection of personal data, the right to freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, or the rights granted under Article 69 in connection with Hungarian citizenship.

(4) All persons shall have the right to initiate proceedings of the Constitutional Court in the cases specified by law.

(5) The Constitutional Court shall consist of fifteen members who shall be elected by Parliament. Members of the Constitutional Court shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee comprised of members of the political parties represented in Parliament, taking also into consideration the percentage their faction represents among all Members of Parliament. A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament shall be required to elect a member of the Constitutional Court.

(6) Members of the Constitutional Court may not be members of a political party and may not engage in any political activities outside of the responsibilities arising from the Constitutional Court’s sphere of competence.

(7) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required to pass the law regulating the organization and operation of the Constitutional Court.

Chapter V.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman for Civil Rights and the Parliamentary Ombudsman for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities

Article 32/B.

(1) The Parliamentary Ombudsman for Civil Rights is responsible for investigating or initiating the investigation of cases involving the infringement of constitutional rights which come to his attention and initiating general or specific measures for their remedy.

(2) The Parliamentary Ombudsman for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities is responsible for investigating or initiating the investigation of cases involving the infringement of the rights of national or ethnic minorities which come to his attention and initiating general or specific measures for their remedy.

(3) Everyone has the right to initiate proceedings by the Parliamentary Ombudsmen in the cases specified by law.

(4) The Parliamentary Ombudsmen for Civil Rights and for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities shall be elected by a majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament, based on the recommendation made by the President of the Republic. The Parliament may also elect special Ombudsmen for the protection of individual constitutional rights.

(5) (6) The Parliamentary Ombudsmen shall present the Parliament with an annual report on their activities. (7) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law on

Parliamentary Ombudsmen.

Chapter VI.

The State Audit Office and the National Bank of Hungary

Article 32/C.

(1) The State Audit Office is the organ of Parliament responsible for financial and economic auditing. Within its sphere of authority the State Audit Office shall control the management of public finances, in the course of which it shall review the fundamental soundness of the proposed State Budget, review the necessity and expediency of expenditures, and countersign contracts pertaining to the assumption of credits for the Budget; it shall review the legality of proposed State Budget expenditures in advance; it shall audit the final accounts of the implementation of the State Budget; it shall monitor the management of State assets, audit state­owned enterprises and their activities directed at the maintenance or increase of the value of their assets; it shall attend to other duties assigned to its sphere of authority by law.

(2) The State Audit Office shall carry out its review and control activities bearing in mind the aspects of legality, expediency and efficiency. The State Audit Office shall present the Parliament with a report on the auditing activities it has carried out. Its report shall be made public. The President of the State Audit Office shall present the Parliament with the audit report on the final accounts together with the final accounts themselves.

(3) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament is required to elect the President and Vice­Presidents of the State Audit Office.

(4) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law on the organization and basic principles of operation of the State Audit Office.

Article 32/D.

(1) The National Bank of Hungary is the central bank of the Republic of Hungary. The National Bank of Hungary shall define the country’s monetary policy in accordance with the provisions of specific other legislation.

(2) The President of the National Bank of Hungary is appointed by the President of the Republic for a term of six years.

(3) The President of the National Bank of Hungary shall present the Parliament with a report on the activities of the National Bank once every year.

(4) The Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank shall, within the framework of his responsibilities and duties conferred in specific other legislation, have authority to issue decrees, which may not be contradictory to any act of Parliament. The Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank shall have authority to delegate powers for adopting decrees on his behalf upon a deputy governor he has designated by decree.

Chapter VII.

The Government

Article 33.

(1) The Government shall consist of ­ a) the Prime Minister and ­ b) the Ministers. ­ (2) The Prime Minister shall appoint ­ by way of a decree ­ a Deputy Prime Minister from among the

ministers. (3) The Prime Minister shall be elected by a majority of the votes of the Members of Parliament, based on

the recommendation made by the President of the Republic. The Parliament shall hold the vote on the election of the Prime Minister and on the passage of the Government’s program at the same time.

(4) The Ministers shall be appointed and dismissed by the President of the Republic, based on the recommendation made by the President of the Republic.

(5) The Government is formed upon appointment of the Ministers. Subsequent to its formation, the Members of the Government shall take an oath before Parliament.

Article 33/A.

The Government’s mandate shall end ­ a) upon formation of the newly elected Parliament; b) upon resignation of the Prime Minister or the Government; c) upon the death of the Prime Minister; d) upon disfranchisement of the Prime Minister, e) upon establishment of a conflict of interest on the part of the Prime Minister, or f) if the Parliament passes a motion of no­confidence in the Prime Minister and elects a new Prime Minister

in accordance with the provisions of Par. (1), Article 39/A.

Article 33/B.

The Minister's term shall cease ­ a) upon completion of the Government's term, b) upon the Minister's resignation, c) upon the Minister's dismissal, d) upon the death of the Minister, e) upon disfranchisement of the Minister, f) upon declaration of a conflict of interest.

Article 34.

(1) The list of Ministries of the Republic of Hungary shall be contained in a separate law. (2) Any amendment of an Act of Parliament pertaining to the designation of a Ministry, Minister or

administrative agency shall be made in an act adopted by over half of the votes of the Members of Parliament present.

Article 35.

(1) The Government shall ­ a) defend constitutional order, and defend and ensure the rights of the natural person, legal persons and ­

unincorporated organizations; b) ensure the implementation of laws; c) direct and co­ordinate the work of the Ministries and other organs placed under its direct supervision; d) ensure that the legal operation of local government is monitored; e) ensure the formulation of social and economic policies and the implementation thereof; f) define State responsibilities in the development of science and culture, and ensure the necessary

conditions for the implementation thereof; g) define the State system of social welfare and health care services, and ensure sufficient funds for such

services; h) supervise the operation of the Hungarian Armed Forces and of the law enforcement agencies; i) take the measures necessary to limit and alleviate the consequences of natural disasters that endanger lives

and property (hereinafter referred to as a state of danger) and to maintain public order and safety;

j) participate in the development of foreign policy; conclude international treaties in the name of the Government of the Republic of Hungary; k) represent the Republic of Hungary in the institutions of the European Union that require government

participation; l) attend to those responsibilities assigned to its sphere of authority by law. m) have powers, in the event of a state of preventive defense emergency, to introduce measures by way of

derogation from the acts governing the administrative system and the operation of the Hungarian Armed Forces and the law enforcement agencies; such measures shall remain in force until the Parliament’s decision, not to exceed 60 days, and the Government shall continuously inform the President of the Republic and the competent parliamentary committees concerning these measures.

(2) Within its sphere of competence, the Government shall issue decrees and pass resolutions, which may not be contradictory to any act of Parliament.

(3) In a state of danger and in a state of preventive defense emergency the Government, if authorized to do so by Parliament, may issue decrees and pass resolutions by way of derogation from the provisions of the respective laws. A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present shall be required to pass the law establishing the regulations to be applied in a state of danger and in a state of preventive defense emergency.

(4) With the exception of legal statutes, the Government shall annul or amend all legally irreconcilable resolutions or measures taken by any subordinate public authorities.

Article 35/A.

(1) In all matters in connection with European integration, the detailed rules governing the oversight powers of Parliament or its committees, the relationship between Parliament and the Government, and the Government’s obligation to disclose information shall be enacted by a two­thirds vote of those Members of Parliament present.

(2) The Government shall present to Parliament the motions that are on the agenda of the decision­making mechanism of those institutions of the European Union that require government participation.

Article 36.

In the course of fulfilling its responsibilities, the Government shall co­operate with the relevant social organizations.

Article 37.

(1) The Prime Minister shall preside over sessions of Government and shall ensure the implementation of Government decrees and resolutions.

(2) The Ministers shall head the branches of public administration falling within their respective portfolios and direct the public authorities they are responsible for in accordance with the law and Government resolutions. Ministers without Portfolio shall attend to the responsibilities determined by the Government.

(3) Members of the Government shall have authority to issue decrees under authorization by an act or government decree independently or in agreement with another minister. Such decrees, however, may not be contradictory to any act or government decree.

Article 38.

Article 39.

(1) The Government is responsible to the Parliament for its operation and is required to furnish the Parliament with regular reports on its work.

(2) Members of the Government are responsible to the Government and to the Parliament and shall provide the Government and the Parliament with reports on their activities. The legal status, compensation and method of accountability of members of the Government, state secretaries and appointed government officials shall be regulated by law.

(3) Members of the Government may participate and speak at sittings of Parliament.

Article 39/A.

(1) A motion of no­confidence in the Prime Minister may be initiated by a written petition, which includes the nomination for a candidate for the office of Prime Minister, by no less than one­fifth of the Members of Parliament. A motion of no­confidence in the Prime Minister is considered a motion of no­confidence in the Government as well. Should, on the basis of this motion, the majority of the Members of Parliament withdraw their confidence, then the candidate nominated for Prime Minister in the motion shall be considered to have been elected.

(2) The debate and vote on the motion of no­confidence shall be held no earlier than three days from the date of proposal and no later than eight days from the date of proposal.

(3) The Government, via the Prime Minister, may propose a vote of confidence in accordance with the period of time specified in Paragraph (2).

(4) The Government, via the Prime Minister, may propose that the vote on the motion it has made simultaneously be considered as a vote of confidence.

(5) Should the Parliament fail to give the Government a vote of confidence in accordance with the provisions of Paragraphs (3)­(4), the Government shall resign.

Article 39/B.

Should the mandate of the Government end, the Government shall remain in office until the formation of the new Government and shall continue to exercise the rights accorded to it; the Government, however, may not conclude international treaties and may only issue decrees with the express authorization of a law, in cases when delay is not permissible.

Article 39/C.

(1) If the term of the Prime Minister is terminated upon formation of the newly elected Parliament or upon the resignation of the Prime Minister or the Government, the Prime Minister shall remain in office as an interim Prime Minister until the new Prime Minister is elected, but may not motion for the nomination or dismissal of ministers and may only issue decrees upon the express authorization of law in urgent cases.

(2) If the term of the Prime Minister ends due to his death, disfranchisement or upon declaration of a conflict of interest, the Deputy Prime Minister ­ or the first Deputy Prime Minister if more than one Deputy Prime Minister has been appointed ­ shall hold, subject to the restrictions defined in Paragraph (1), the Prime Minister’s office until the new Prime Minister is elected.

Article 40.

(1) The Government has the right to form committees for specific functions. (2) The Government has the right to place any branch of public administration under its direct supervision

and create separate government bodies for this purpose. (3) The legal status, remuneration and method of accountability of the members of ministries and bodies

controlled and supervised by the Government shall be governed by specific other legislation.

Chapter VIII.

Hungarian Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies

Article 40/A.

(1) The fundamental duty of the Hungarian Armed Forces is the military defense of the country and participation in the collective defense duties under international treaty.

(2) The fundamental duty of the Police is to protect public security, to maintain law and order, and to guard the borders of the country.

(3) (4) A majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present is required to pass the law on

the Hungarian Armed Forces and its duties, on the Police and on the use of special investigative means and techniques, and on the detailed regulations pertaining to issues of national security.

Article 40/B.

(1) (2) In the event of armed actions aimed at overturning constitutional order or at the acquisition of exclusive

control of public power, or in the case of grave acts of violence committed by force of arms or by armed groups which endanger lives and property on a mass scale, during a state of emergency declared in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the Hungarian Armed Forces may be used, if the use of the police proves insufficient.

(3) Within the framework of the Constitution, only Parliament, the President of the Republic, the National Defense Council, the Government and the responsible Minister shall have the right to command the Hungarian Armed Forces, unless otherwise provided by international treaties.

(4) Professional members of the Hungarian Armed Forces, the Police and the national security services may not be members of political parties and may not engage in political activities, furthermore, they may not be

nominated while in active service and for a period of three years following the termination of their service relationship in Parliamentary elections, in elections for the European Parliament, in the election of council members and mayors, and in the election of representatives of minority self­governments.

(5) Restrictions on the political activities of non­professional members of the Hungarian Armed Forces may be established by a law passed by a majority of two­thirds of the votes of the Members of Parliament present.

Article 40/C.

(1) The Government shall have powers to authorize the use of the Hungarian Armed Forces and foreign armed units by decision of the European Union, or deployment of troops by decision of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in accordance with Subparagraph j) of Paragraph (3) of Article 19.

(2) The Government shall forthwith notify the Parliament and the President of the Republic concurrently of its decisions made under Paragraph (1) and as regards the participation of the Hungarian Armed Forces in peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations in foreign theaters.

Chapter VIII/A

Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete (Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority)

Article 40/D.

(1) The Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete is the body responsible for oversight, monitoring and regulation of the financial intermediation system of the Republic of Hungary. The Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete shall be responsible to ensure the smooth functioning of the financial intermediation system.

(2) The President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete shall be appointed by the President of the Republic for a term of six years, and the vice presidents are appointed by the Prime Minister also for a term of six years.

(3) The President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete shall report to Parliament on the work of the Authority on an annual basis.

(4) The President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete shall ­ within the framework of his responsibilities and duties ­ issue decrees under authorization by an act, which may not be contradictory to any act or government decree, or decree adopted by the Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank. The President of the Pénzügyi Szervezetek Állami Felügyelete shall have authority to delegate powers for adopting decrees on his behalf upon a vice president designated by decree.

Chapter VIII/B

Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság (National Media and Infocommunications Authority)

Article 40/E.

(1) The Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság is the regulatory and supervisory body of the electronic communications market of the Republic of Hungary. The Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság is responsible to facilitate the smooth operation of the electronic communications market.

(2) The President of the Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság is appointed by the Prime Minister for a term of nine years.

(3) The Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság shall give account of its activities to Parliament on a yearly basis.

(4) The President of the Nemzeti Média­ és Hírközlési Hatóság shall ­ within the framework of his responsibilities and duties ­ issue decrees under authorization by an act, which may not be contradictory to any other legislation.

Chapter IX.

Local Governments

Article 41.

(1) The territory of the Republic of Hungary is divided into the following administrative units: the capital, the counties, the cities and communities.

(2) The capital is divided into districts. Districts may be formed in cities as well.

Article 42.

Eligible voters of the communities, cities, the capital and its districts, and the counties have the right to local government. Local government refers to independent, democratic management of local affairs and the exercise of local public authority in the interests of the local population.

Article 43.

(1) The fundamental rights of all local governments (see Article 44/A.) are equal. The duties of local governments may differ.

(2) The rights and duties of local governments shall be determined by law. The lawful exercise of the powers of local government is afforded the legal protection of the courts and any local government may appeal to the Constitutional Court for the protection of its rights.

Article 44.

(1) Eligible voters exercise the right to local government through the representative body that they elect and by way of local referendum.

(2) With the exception of mid­term elections, the mayor and the members of local representative bodies shall be elected in the month of October in the fourth year following the previous general elections.

(3) The mandate of the representative body shall expire on the day of the general local government elections. If no elections are held due to the lack of nominees, the mandate of the representative body shall extend to the day of the mid­term elections. The mandate of the mayor shall expire upon the election of the new mayor.

(4) A representative body may declare its dissolution prior to the expiration of its mandate and in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the law on local governments. Upon dissolution of the body [Article 19, Paragraph (3), Point n( �/i>] the mandate of the Mayor also ends.