Hungary's government denies reports that Viktor Orban is preparing a transition to a “presidential system”
The spokesperson of the Hungarian Government rejected, on Thursday, an information that appeared in the press according to which Prime Minister Viktor Orban would analyze the possibility of introducing a “presidential system” in Hungary.
In Hungary, the position of president has a predominantly ceremonial role. PHOTO: Facebook/Viktor Orban
The backlash came after Bloomberg published an article citing an anonymous source saying Orban was considering taking over as president and changing laws to make the presidency the most powerful position in the state. The aim would be to maintain control over the country regardless of the outcome of the elections which will most likely be for April 2026.
Since 1990 and until now, Hungary has been a parliamentary democracy, and the office of president has a predominantly ceremonial role.
Zoltan Kovacs, the spokesman for the Government, denied the existence of such a plan.
“Let's be clear: repeating this idea over and over again is nothing more than the usual left-wing fake news routine.” he wrote on X.
Orban, in power since 2010, is facing one of the most difficult electoral periods in recent years, as Hungary has been in economic stagnation for three years. His main challenger, Péter Magyar, leader of the center-right Tisza party, leads in most opinion polls over Fidesz, the party of Prime Minister Orban, according to Reuters.
Bloomberg suggested that Orban could try to consolidate his power by transforming the political system, but changing the regime to a presidential system would require amending the Constitution, which would be possible given that Fidesz currently holds a two-thirds majority in parliament.
In an interview with private broadcaster ATV last month, Viktor Orban said he had considered switching to a presidential system every time his party won elections since 2010, but decided against the switch each time.
