Fundamental Law of Hungary

The Fundamental Law of Hungary is the country's constitution, adopted by the National Assembly on 18 April 2011 and in force since 1 January 2012. It replaced the 1949 constitution that Hungary had inherited from the communist period and heavily amended after 1989, and it stands as the first constitution the country adopted through a fully democratic process following free elections. The document sets out the structure of the Hungarian state, fundamental rights and the relationship between the branches of government, and it has been amended repeatedly since its adoption, including a further amendment taking effect in July 2026. Its adoption and later amendments have drawn sustained debate at home and internationally, with critics arguing that changes to the judiciary, media regulation and electoral rules under the governing party have weakened checks on power, while supporters describe the same changes as necessary reforms reflecting the will of Hungarian voters expressed at the ballot box.