Politics of Hungary

The politics of Hungary take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The prime minister is the head of government of a pluriform multi-party system, while the president is the head of state and holds a largely ceremonial position. Since 2024, the country has been considered "no longer a full democracy" by the EU, and is generally said to have democratically backslid since 2010, when the Fidesz–KDNP Party Alliance led by Viktor Orbán won a two-thirds parliamentary supermajority and adopted a new constitution of Hungary.

Hungary is an independent state which has been a parliamentary republic since 1989 and a member of the European Union since 2004. Legislative power is exercised by the unicameral National Assembly that consists of 199 members, who are elected for four-year terms. In the April 2026 election, Péter Magyar's Tisza Party won a two-thirds supermajority in parliament, decisively beating Orbán's incumbent Fidesz–KDNP party. Magyar became prime minister on 9 May 2026.

Executive branch

The president of the republic is chosen by the National Assembly every five years and mainly serves in a ceremonial role. However, the president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can suggest who should be the prime minister. The prime minister is then chosen by a majority vote in Parliament.

The prime minister leads the executive branch. They choose the Cabinet ministers and can also dismiss them. Before taking office, each new minister must appear before parliamentary committees for discussions, win a vote in Parliament, and receive final approval from the president.

Legislative branch

Main article: Elections in Hungary

Hungary has one main group called the National Assembly with 199 members. This group is very important because it helps make laws. The prime minister suggests new laws, and the National Assembly decides if they should become real. People vote for the members of this group every four years. To get into the National Assembly, a party needs to get at least 5% of the votes in some areas, but this rule does not apply in every part of the country.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Hungary. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Hungary.

The 2026 election brought big changes to Hungary's politics. The Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza party), which formed in 2024, won against the Fidesz–KDNP coalition. This group had been leading the country for 16 years and had won every election since 2010.

The election also changed the opposition. Out of the 6 parties that were the main opposition in 2022, 5 chose not to run in 2026 in support of Tisza. Only DK tried to run, but they only got 1% of the votes, which is too low to join the legislature. The Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party, which started as a joke party, also did not get enough votes and will have to return the money they received for their campaign.

The only other party to join the National Assembly besides Tisza and Fidesz-KDNP was the far-right Our Homeland Movement.

Judicial branches

Hungary has a special group of fifteen judges called the Constitutional Court. They can say if laws are fair and right. These judges were chosen in July 2010 and each serves for twelve years.

The top court in Hungary, called the Supreme Court of Hungary or Curia, works on its own, separate from the government. There is also a chief prosecutor in Hungary, and people are talking about whether this leader should be separate from the government too.

Hungary also has special helpers called ombudsman offices. They make sure that people's rights, like rights for minorities and the environment, are protected. Since late 2003, these helpers can make decisions that must be followed.

Financial branch

The main bank in Hungary is called the Hungarian National Bank. From 1990 to 2004, it was completely independent. Then, in November 2004, new rules were made that let the government have more say in choosing leaders of the bank. This change was debated and taken to the Constitutional Court for review.

Administrative divisions

Hungary is divided into 19 counties and 1 capital city, Budapest. These counties have different names, but they help organize the country into smaller parts.

There are also smaller areas called districts inside the counties, and larger groups called regions that include one or more counties. Altogether, Hungary has over 3,000 places where people live, including both cities and villages.

Involvement in international organisations

Hungary belongs to many groups that help countries work together. Some of these groups are the EU for sharing rules and support, NATO for keeping peace, and the UN for helping people all over the world. There are many other groups too, like the WHO for health and the FAO for farming and food. Being part of these groups helps Hungary talk and share with other countries.

Ministries