The Republic of Hungary, a former Soviet satellite state, has developed a parliamentary democracy, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Political System

The Republic of Hungary is considered a parliamentary representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Budapest. The country originally declared its independence in the year 1001 via unification by King Stephen I. The national holiday is St. Stephen’s Day, celebrated on August 20.

Hungary’s current constitution was originally adopted on August 18, 1949, and became effective on August 20. The document was revised on April 19, 1972. A second revision on October 18, 1989 guaranteed legal rights for individuals, placed constitutional checks on the prime minister’s authority, and established parliamentary oversight. A 1997 amendment streamlined the county’s judicial system. The Constitution allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

The Republic of Hungary consists of 19 counties (megyek), 22 urban counties (megyei varos), and one capital city (fovaros):

Budapest (capital city)

Counties

• Bacs-Kiskun
• Baranya
• Bekes
• Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen
• Csongrad
• Fejer
• Gyor-Moson-Sopron
• Hajdu-Bihar
• Heves
• Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok
• Komarom-Esztergom
• Nograd
• Pest
• Somogy
• Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg
• Tolna
• Vas
• Veszprem
• Zala

Urban Counties

• Bekescsaba
• Debrecen
• Dunaujvaros
• Eger
• Gyor
• Hodmezovasarhely
• Kaposvar
• Kecskemet
• Miskolc
• Nagykanizsa
• Nyiregyhaza
• Pecs
• Salgotarian
• Sopron
• Szeged
• Szekesfehervar
• Szekszard
• Szolnok
• Szombathely
• Tatabanya
• Veszprem
• Zalaegerszeg

Executive Branch

The President is Hungary’s chief of state. This person is elected by the National Assembly to a five year term, and is eligible for a second term. Laszlo Solyom, the current President, was elected to the position on August 5, 2005.

The head of government is the Prime Minister, elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the President. Ferenc Gyurcsany, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on September 29, 2004.

All cabinet ministers are selected by the Prime Minister, voted on by the National Assembly, and approved by the President. The current ministers are:

• Agriculture and Rural Development - Jozsef Graf
• Defense - Imre Szekeres
• Economy and Transport - Janos Koka
• Education and Culture - Istvan Hiller
• Environmental Protection and Water Management - Gabor Fodor
• Finance - Janos Veres
• Foreign Affairs - Kinga Goncz
• Health - Agnes Horvath
• Justice and Law Enforcement - Albert Takacs
• Local Government and Regional Development - Gordon Bainai
• Social and Labor Affairs - Monika Lamperth

Unassigned ministers include Gyorgy Szilvasy and Tibor Draskovics, who is in charge of public administration.

Legislative Branch

The Hungarian National Assembly (Orszaggyules) is a unicameral body consisting of 386 officials. Members are elected by popular vote via proportional and direct representation. Each member serves a four year term. During a private speech In 2006, Prime Minister Gyurcsany admitted that both he and the Hungarian Socialist Party lied to win the general election.

The current structure of the National Assembly, by political party is (number of seats):

• Hungarian Socialist Party (MSzP) - 190
• Hungarian Civic Alliance (Fidesz) - 141
• Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP) - 23
• Alliance of Free Democrats (SzDSz) - 20
• Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) - 11
• Independent - 1

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Constitutional Court. Judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine year terms.

Legal System

The Hungarian legal system is based on the German-Austrian legal system. The country has accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction with reservations.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

Counties of Hungary - Web Site. Statoids. June 2007.

House of the Nation - Information System of Hungarian National Assembly Official Website.

Hungary Electronic Government Center Official Website.

The Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office Official Website