Constitution of Hungary

Constitution of Hungary
Overview
JurisdictionHungary
Ratified18 April 2011
Date effective1 January 2012
SystemUnitary parliamentary republic
Government structure
Branches3
Head of statePresident
ChambersUnicameral (National Assembly)
ExecutiveGovernment
JudiciaryCuria (Supreme Court)
Constitutional Court
FederalismUnitary
Electoral collegeNo
History
Amendments12
Last amended2023
Citation"Magyarország Alaptörvénye". (in Hungarian)
"The Fundamental Law of Hungary". (in English)
Author(s)Parliamentary Committee
SignatoriesPál Schmitt
SupersedesHungarian Constitution of 1949
Full text
Fundamental Law of Hungary at Wikisource
Constitution of Hungary at Hungarian Wikisource

The Fundamental Law of Hungary (Hungarian: Magyarország alaptörvénye), the country's constitution, was adopted by parliament on 18 April 2011, promulgated by the president a week later and entered into force on 1 January 2012. It is Hungary's first constitution adopted within a democratic framework and following free elections.

The document succeeded the 1949 Constitution, originally adopted at the creation of the Hungarian People's Republic on 20 August 1949 and heavily amended on 23 October 1989. The 1949 Constitution was Hungary's first permanent written constitution and, until it was replaced, Hungary was the only former Eastern Bloc nation without an entirely new constitution after the end 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 Fidesz 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.


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