The Hungarian parliament on Monday, June 15th, voted to amend the country’s constitution and limit the mandates of prime ministers to 8 years, with a retroactive effect.
The amendment, which critics describe as a typical example of ad personam legislation, and is accordingly, dubbed ‘Lex Orbán,’ is widely understood as designed to prevent five-time Hungarian PM and Fidesz president Viktor Orbán from returning to power.
The bill was approved with 135 votes in favour, 50 against, and 6 abstentions.
Viktor Orbán commented on social media, under a card that says “It does not [just] affect me. It is about me.”
Lex Orbán approved. This was the most pressing issue [for the new government]. When I am needed, I’ll be here.
Retroactive laws are usually seen as contrary to the ideals of the rule of law. Whether they are acceptable depends on the legal tradition and the justification offered.
