In a landmark address to parliament, newly elected Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced a sweeping package of constitutional reforms and an anti-corruption crackdown code-named “Operation Fire Cleanse” (Operacioni Pastrimi i Zjarrit), aimed at dismantling what he described as the entrenched “politico-economic network connected to the previous government.”
The dramatic declaration marks a definitive break from the 14-year era of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar’s Tisza party, which swept to power following a historic electoral victory in April, has moved swiftly to initiate institutional overhauls designed to root out state capture.
Constitutional Re-Drafting and Immediate Ousters
During an intense, hour-long parliamentary speech, Magyar unveiled an ambitious roadmap to completely draft a new national constitution, with formal proceedings set to begin in September.
To pave the way for these structural adjustments, the Prime Minister announced the imminent removal of several high-ranking state officials tied closely to the previous administration.
- High-Level Casualties: The sweep targets top tier figures, including President Tamás Sulyok and multiple sitting justices of the Constitutional Court.
- Judicial Overhaul: The administration will restore the mandatory retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, a targeted mechanism that will effectively force the immediate exit of several Orbán-appointed judicial staff.
- Term Limits: In a drastic shift for Hungarian legislative politics, the new framework will introduce a strict maximum term limit of 12 years for Members of Parliament.
“Our ultimate objective is to liberate this country from systemic corruption and illicit political influence while systematically restoring the foundational rule of law,” Magyar asserted.
New Anti-Corruption Powers and Public Consultation
A cornerstone of Magyar’s institutional reform package is the proposed creation of a specialized anti-corruption agency. Unlike previous iterations, this body will be legally armed with broadly expanded investigative powers, allowing it to probe state contracts, political financing, and asset portfolios linked to the previous regime.
In a bid to demonstrate democratic transparency, the government has launched an online public platform detailing the constitutional proposals.
The digital forum will remain actively open for public review and citizen feedback until the end of July. Following the compilation of public input, the draft text will be formally handed over to the parliament for final legislative debate and adoption.
