The Political System of Hungary Institutions

What is a ”political system” A political system is a complete set of institutions, interest groups (such as political parties, trade unions, lobby groups), the relationships between those institutions and the political norms and rules that govern their functions (constitution, election law). A political system is a complete set of institutions, interest groups (such as political parties, trade unions, lobby groups), the relationships between those institutions and the political norms and rules that govern their functions (constitution, election law).

What is an institution? ”an organization founded and united for a specific purpose” ”an organization founded and united for a specific purpose” a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society; "the institution of marriage"; "the institution of slavery"; "he had become an institution in the theater„ a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society; "the institution of marriage"; "the institution of slavery"; "he had become an institution in the theater„

Most important political institutions in the Hungarian political system 1. Government 2. Parliament 3. President 4. Constitutional Court 5. Ombudsman 6. Municipalities (local government) 7. Political parties

The Government How do you become Prime Minister? First step: you are the candidate of the political party that gets the most votes at the elections. Second step: the President appoints you (this has been tradition since 1990) as Prime Minister* Third step: you draw up your political programme as PM (a speech in Parliament Fourth step: Parliament votes about you and your programme and elects you with a 50%+1 vote majority (194 votes). *the President may appoint anybody s/he prefers, but this would go against tradition and Parliament could override him/her.

The Government What do you do once you are the Prime Minister? Step 1: You select your cabinet → the Ministers in your government. (the President appoints them – pure formality) Step 2: You run the country → you coordinate the executive branch of the political system

The Government What do you do as a government? you are responsible for:  ensuring that the laws of the country are implemented  coordinating the ministries  controlling the functioning of the local governments  scientific and cultural development,  social care and health care systems  public order (coordination of armed forces and the police, taking action in the case of a natural disaster, etc.)  foreign policy (international contracts, representing Hungary in the EU)

The Government When does a new government have to be formed?  After a new Parliament has been elected  If the Prime Minister dies  If the Prime Minister loses his right to vote (commits a crime, treason, etc.)  If the Prime Minister resigns  If the parliament elects a new Prime Minsister through a constructive vote of no confidence

The Government What is a constructive vote of no confidene?  At least 20% of the MPs say they do not want George George as Prime Minister anymore → they submit a constructive motion of no confidence:  No confidence, because they have no confidence in George George  Constructive, because they have to name their own candidate for Prime Minister – Peter Peter.  The Parliament votes →  if they accept the motion of no confidence (50%+1), then Peter Peter automatically becomes Prime Minister  If they don’t, George George remains Prime Minister

The Parliament Roles of Parliament: Making laws (including the Constitution) Making laws (including the Constitution) Foreign policy: concluding the most important contracts (e.g.: contract about Hungary’s accession to the EU, deciding about starting a war or concluding a peace treaty.) Foreign policy: concluding the most important contracts (e.g.: contract about Hungary’s accession to the EU, deciding about starting a war or concluding a peace treaty.) Controlling the Government (questioning, motions of no confidence, accepting the budget) Controlling the Government (questioning, motions of no confidence, accepting the budget)

The Parliament The structure of the Parliament 1. Committees: not public, this is where proposals for laws are discussed. This is a professional forum helping legislation. 2. The plenary session: public, this is where the debates are held and the laws are accepted or rejected, this is where the government can be questioned.

The Parliament Who can propose a law? Who can propose a law? 1. Government 2. President 3. Any Member of Parliament 4. Parliamentary Committes

The Parliament

The President Elected for 5 years! Election process: Round 1: In Parliament, with a two-thirds majority (66,66%) Round 2: In Parliament, with a two-thirds majority (66,66%) Round 3: In Parliament, with a 50%+1 majority. Result: the political parties in government are usually able to elect the President → s/he is not an indepenent person and has limited legitimacy.

The President The roles of the President: Foreign policy (represents the country) Foreign policy (represents the country) Setting the dates for elections Setting the dates for elections handing out awards and medals handing out awards and medals + s/he can propose a bill in Parliament and appoints the Prime Minister after an election.

The Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court is responsible for making sure that the constitution of Hungary is not violated by a certain law or government action. It has 11 members, elected by Parliament (two-thirds majority) for 9 years.

The Ombudsman The word comes from Swedish, meaning: representative The word comes from Swedish, meaning: representative The Ombudsman safeguards the rights of the citizens and assists them when the state make laws or steps that harm them. The Ombudsman safeguards the rights of the citizens and assists them when the state make laws or steps that harm them. There are currently 3 Ombudsman in Hungary: There are currently 3 Ombudsman in Hungary: 1.Ombudsman for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (-) 2.Ombudsman for National and Ethnic Minorities’ Rights (Ernő Kállai) 3.Ombudsman for Civil Rights (Máté Szabó) + there will soon be an Ombudsman for the future generations

Key data to remember Prime Minister of Hungary:  Ferenc Gyurcsány President of Hungary:  László Sólyom