Hungary's transition to a presidential regime, denied by the Orban government. “Usual Leftist Fake News Routine”

The Hungarian government spokesman on Thursday denied a media report that Prime Minister Viktor Orban was about to introduce a presidential system, Reuters reports. He made the comment on the X network after Bloomberg reported that Orban was exploring this option ahead of elections likely to be held in April 2026.

Citing an informed source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Bloomberg wrote that Orban is examining how to maintain control of Hungary regardless of the outcome of the election and is considering taking over the presidency and rewriting laws to make it Hungary's most powerful office.

Since 1990, Hungary has been a parliamentary democracy, and the role of the president is largely ceremonial, notes Reuters.

The government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, denied the existence of a plan to change the system. “Let's be clear: Pushing this idea over and over again is nothing more than the left's usual fake news routine,” Kovacs responded on X.

Viktor Orban has been in power since 2010. With the economy stagnant for three years, the prime minister faces a tough electoral battle against his opposition rival Peter Magyar and his center-right Tisza party, which leads Orban's Fidesz in most polls.

In order to introduce a presidential system, the Hungarian Constitution should be amended. This is only possible with a two-thirds majority in parliament, which Orban now holds.

In an interview with the private channel ATV last month, Orban said he considered the option of switching to a presidential system every time his party won elections since 2010 and always decided against it.