Tamás Sulyok signed the amendment that ends his presidency. Across Hungary, the guarantees surrounding Viktor Orbán’s political class began to give way.
Péter, what do you think about the recommendation from the group of Hungarian lawyers? Also, is lowering the voting age to 16 a serious proposal? I wonder how many students in the 16-17 year group have had a chance to develop their reasoning skills.
Hi Pamela, the lawyers’ group recommended former justice minister Péter Bárándy, while a separate group of prominent Hungarians backed Judit Polgár. Both are serious suggestions for very different reasons. I have a piece coming later, hopefully, looking more closely at Polgár and the wider presidential picture.
The voting-age proposal is serious, although still at the discussion stage. There are functioning precedents: for example Austria allows voting from 16 in national elections, while several European countries use 16 for European or regional elections. Research from Austria suggests that 16- and 17-year-olds make electoral choices at least as coherently as slightly older first-time voters. I still think any change in Hungary should come with much stronger civic education, but I would not dismiss it on the basis of age alone.
Yes, he does. Bárándy served as justice minister from 2002 to 2004 under the centre-left government of Péter Medgyessy. That was between Orbán’s first government and Fidesz’s return to power in 2010, so he predates the system Hungary has lived under for the past sixteen years.
He has spent most of his career as a lawyer and is widely respected in legal circles. Still, having served in an MSZP-SZDSZ government means he is not quite the completely politically untouched figure Magyar originally wants. That is one reason the contrast with Judit Polgár is interesting: Bárándy offers constitutional experience, while Polgár offers greater distance from party politics.
It seems to me that Polgár would be dependent on excellent legal advice — so much of her term in office could be spent sifting through complicated legal precedents — though I understand she is brilliant and widely respected.
If my calculations are correct, Sulyok has been out for seven minutes now. Congratulations.
I remember recently reading one eye-opening argument against term limits here in the US (I think it might have been from Chris Armitage), which said that term limits here would have the opposite effect of what was intended. The reason for this was that usually a retiring legislator will go into lobbying and make massive amounts of money using internal connections to get something passed, often without any transparency. Without legislating against that sort of pipeline, big money might still find its way to holding onto the keys to power under such limits.
But it does sound like Hungary is well on the way to a leveler playing field (even if further leveling will be required - nothing is perfect).
fascinating to read about this Democratic takeover every day! I want this for us here in USA as well. most of us do. so much corruption here. your posts, your news keeps me hopeful. Thank you!
it all seems to be happening in a slow, methodical way instead of a takeover. 2/3 majority wins it AND keeps it! ❤
Wow, big changes are being implemented. Sulyok left well, without impeding change. I am happy for all of the changes. We will see how the term limits work out. Hope for Hungary. I am happy for the Hungarian people.
The process of change is being carefully orchestrated-and the fact that the changes apply to Tisza gives the lie to all that Orban is claiming, while here among us. 1990-2026? He implies his equal standing with Jozsef Antall. Viktor Orban is no Jozsef Antall.
Just to let you know how important countries other than the U.S. think this is, The story of Sulyok's signing is on page 2 of today's Japan News (Yomiuri). It includes a brief explanation of his ties to Orban.
You have to keep diligent and follow the high-speed legislation. Comparing that speed with requirements of this revolutionary chain of developments I feel satisfied and call people to be patient. The surviving Fidesz apparatchiks are crying foul play as if they were coming out of a clean virginity. Nobody listeness to them.
Péter, what do you think about the recommendation from the group of Hungarian lawyers? Also, is lowering the voting age to 16 a serious proposal? I wonder how many students in the 16-17 year group have had a chance to develop their reasoning skills.
Hi Pamela, the lawyers’ group recommended former justice minister Péter Bárándy, while a separate group of prominent Hungarians backed Judit Polgár. Both are serious suggestions for very different reasons. I have a piece coming later, hopefully, looking more closely at Polgár and the wider presidential picture.
The voting-age proposal is serious, although still at the discussion stage. There are functioning precedents: for example Austria allows voting from 16 in national elections, while several European countries use 16 for European or regional elections. Research from Austria suggests that 16- and 17-year-olds make electoral choices at least as coherently as slightly older first-time voters. I still think any change in Hungary should come with much stronger civic education, but I would not dismiss it on the basis of age alone.
I was wondering how long ago Péter Bárándy was a justice minister and whether he pre-dated the recent Fidesz regime.
Yes, he does. Bárándy served as justice minister from 2002 to 2004 under the centre-left government of Péter Medgyessy. That was between Orbán’s first government and Fidesz’s return to power in 2010, so he predates the system Hungary has lived under for the past sixteen years.
He has spent most of his career as a lawyer and is widely respected in legal circles. Still, having served in an MSZP-SZDSZ government means he is not quite the completely politically untouched figure Magyar originally wants. That is one reason the contrast with Judit Polgár is interesting: Bárándy offers constitutional experience, while Polgár offers greater distance from party politics.
It seems to me that Polgár would be dependent on excellent legal advice — so much of her term in office could be spent sifting through complicated legal precedents — though I understand she is brilliant and widely respected.
If my calculations are correct, Sulyok has been out for seven minutes now. Congratulations.
I remember recently reading one eye-opening argument against term limits here in the US (I think it might have been from Chris Armitage), which said that term limits here would have the opposite effect of what was intended. The reason for this was that usually a retiring legislator will go into lobbying and make massive amounts of money using internal connections to get something passed, often without any transparency. Without legislating against that sort of pipeline, big money might still find its way to holding onto the keys to power under such limits.
But it does sound like Hungary is well on the way to a leveler playing field (even if further leveling will be required - nothing is perfect).
Yes, lobbying should be made illeagal in the US.
WOW WOW WOW!!!!
fascinating to read about this Democratic takeover every day! I want this for us here in USA as well. most of us do. so much corruption here. your posts, your news keeps me hopeful. Thank you!
it all seems to be happening in a slow, methodical way instead of a takeover. 2/3 majority wins it AND keeps it! ❤
Wow, big changes are being implemented. Sulyok left well, without impeding change. I am happy for all of the changes. We will see how the term limits work out. Hope for Hungary. I am happy for the Hungarian people.
The process of change is being carefully orchestrated-and the fact that the changes apply to Tisza gives the lie to all that Orban is claiming, while here among us. 1990-2026? He implies his equal standing with Jozsef Antall. Viktor Orban is no Jozsef Antall.
Just to let you know how important countries other than the U.S. think this is, The story of Sulyok's signing is on page 2 of today's Japan News (Yomiuri). It includes a brief explanation of his ties to Orban.
Péter
You have to keep diligent and follow the high-speed legislation. Comparing that speed with requirements of this revolutionary chain of developments I feel satisfied and call people to be patient. The surviving Fidesz apparatchiks are crying foul play as if they were coming out of a clean virginity. Nobody listeness to them.