Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Hungary Denies Orban Plans Presidential System
The Hungarian government said a news report that Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to change the country's government system to a presidential one is not true.
The government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, called the report fake news.
Hungary has been a parliamentary democracy since 1990, where the president has a mostly ceremonial role.
Orban has been in power since 2010 and faces a tough election in 2026 against Peter Magyar and his Tisza party.
Changing the system would require a big majority in parliament, which Orban currently has.
Orban has considered this change before but always decided against it.
Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs denied a report that Prime Minister Viktor Orban plans to introduce a presidential system.
The report, cited by Bloomberg, suggested Orban was considering this change to maintain power regardless of the 2026 election outcome.
Hungary has been a parliamentary democracy since 1990, with the president having a largely ceremonial role.
Orban has considered a presidential system before but decided against it each time.
Changing the system would require a two-thirds majority in parliament, which Orban currently holds.
- Who
- Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs and Prime Minister Viktor Orban
- What
- Denial of a report suggesting Orban plans to introduce a presidential system
- When
- December 11, 2023
- Where
- Budapest, Hungary
- Why
- To clarify that the report is false and part of a 'leftist fake-news routine'
- Prime Minister
- Viktor Orban
- Government Spokesman
- Zoltan Kovacs
- Opposition Challenger
- Peter Magyar
- Opposition Party
- Tisza Party
- Current System
- Parliamentary Democracy
- Required Majority
- Two-thirds in parliament
- Next Election
- April 2026 (likely)
