BUDAPEST — The Hungarian parliament approved a constitutional amendment that limits prime ministerial terms to a maximum of eight years. This new measure restricts any individual who has served as prime minister since 1990 to no more than two terms in office.

The amendment passed with 135 votes in favor and 50 against. Legislators from former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party voted against the constitutional amendment. Orbán posted online, "The Orban law has just been voted through. That was the most pressing issue. If I'm needed, I'll be here." Orbán served as Hungary's prime minister for 16 years continuously prior to the April general election, which saw Péter Magyar's Tisza party secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

The constitutional change requires presidential approval from Tamás Sulyok to take effect. If implemented, Péter Magyar's tenure as prime minister would not extend beyond 2034. The Tisza party campaigned on preventing Orbán from returning to the prime ministership, and their legislative victory ended his continuous tenure in office.

Additionally, the amendment removed a constitutional requirement for an independent agency tasked with protecting the country's constitutional identity. This effectively dissolved the Sovereignty Protection Office, which was established in 2023 under the previous administration to monitor foreign influence. Human Rights Watch had listed the closure of this office as a required measure for Hungary in April.

The constitutional amendment also targets public trust foundations that hold transferred state assets. The government intends to return assets from these foundations to state control or reduce their funding.

These actions align with a series of anti-corruption reforms. The European Commission conditionally approved the release of €16.4 billion in funding to Hungary based on the parliament passing such reforms. Parliament also debated measures to expand the authority of the Integrity Authority anti-corruption watchdog. Transparency International has ranked Hungary as the most corrupt E.U. member state for four consecutive years.