1.4.1 Political and Governance Framework
67 Hungarian government structure
A parliamentary democracy featuring a unicameral National Assembly
Hungary’s government structure is a parliamentary democracy featuring three principal government branches: the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
The unicameral 199-member National Assembly, known as the Országgyűlés, is responsible for initiating and approving legislation sponsored by members of parliament. The specific functions of the National Assembly include adopting and amending the Fundamental Law of Hungary (equivalent to the Constitution, the foundation of the Hungarian legal system), adopting other acts and adopting the central budget and approving its implementation. The National Assembly elects the President of the Republic, the members and the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Curia, the President of the National Office for the Judiciary, the Prosecutor General, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights and his or her deputies and the President of the State Audit Office. The National Assembly is also responsible for electing the Prime Minister and taking decisions on any matter of confidence related to the Government.
As Head of the Government, the Prime Minister defines the general policy of the government and recommends the appointment of Ministers.
The Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Hungarian Armed Forces is the President of the Republic, whose formal role extends to safeguarding the democratic operations of the state. The President appoints the dates for national and local elections, as well as elections of delegates for the European Parliament. The appointment of National Ministers (on the recommendation of the Prime Minister), university chancellors and generals within the military falls within the Presidential remit.
Ministers are responsible for developing legislative proposals
to facilitate the effective operation of their respective specialist portfolios and for implementing government policy. Relevant Ministers also represent the Hungarian Government at the European Council and other international forums. The national ministries include:
–Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister
–Prime Minister’s Office
–Ministry of Agriculture
–Ministry of Defence
–Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
–Ministry of Human Capacities
–Ministry of Interior
–Ministry of Justice
–Ministry of National Development
–Ministry for National Economy
The responsibilities and powers of the two levels of local government operating in Hungary are primarily defined by the Fundamental Law of Hungary and the Law on Local Government (Act CLXXXIX of 2011).
County local government comprises the 19 counties into
which the country is divided, excluding the capital, Budapest. The governments of the 19 counties are typically responsible for county-wide urban and rural development, regional management and county-wide coordination tasks.
In addition, local municipal governments are elected in each city, town and township, as well as the capital and the districts of the capital. Local municipal government responsibilities are limited to local public affairs. These typically include municipal urban development, municipal amenities, basic healthcare services, childcare services, cultural services, local transport services, waste management and local disaster management.
The Municipality of Budapest has a dual self-government
system. The city is divided into 23 districts, each with a District
Government comprising an elected Mayor and elected
representatives. Each of the 23 District Mayors, along with the elected Mayor of Budapest and nine additional members elected from any district make up the 33 seat General Assembly of the
Municipality of Budapest. The General Assembly of Budapest
and the District Governments are equal in terms of their basic rights. In practical terms, however, local government tasks are generally implemented by the District Governments, while tasks stemming from nationwide issues or related to the city as a whole or multiple districts are undertaken by the Municipality of Budapest.
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68 Political parties and coalition structures
A stable democracy with a simple majority in the National and Municipal Governments
National Government
Currently the National Government is led by a coalition between the Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union and Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP). The coalition has led the National Government since 2010 and currently holds a majority position with 133 of the 199 seats.
Refer to Table 68a for details of the parties and related structures that have led the National Government during the last ten years.
County Government
In addition to the capital of Budapest, the Budapest 2024 Games concept proposes venues in a total of seven counties. Refer to Table 68b for details of the parties and related structures that have led each of these counties during the last ten years.
Municipal Government
Currently 20 of the 33 seats in the General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest are held by the Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union and KDNP coalition. The Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union, in coalition with KDNP, has held the majority of seats since 2010. While the Mayor of Budapest, István Tarlós, is an independent, he has the support of Fidesz-KDNP.
The Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union and KDNP coalition also holds the majority in most of the other municipalities in which Olympic and Paralympic competition will take place.
Refer to Table 68c for details of the parties and related structures that have led the municipal governments during the last ten years.
Table 68a - Leadership of National Government
Period Party that led National Government Number of seats held
(with the coalition partner)1 Coalition partner
2002 – 2006 MSZP-Hungarian Socialist Party 198 out of 386 SZDSZ
2006 – 2010 MSZP-Hungarian Socialist Party 210 out of 386 SZDSZ (until mid-2008)2
2010 – 2014 Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union 263 out of 386 KDNP Christian Democratic People’s Party 2014 - Fidesz Hungarian Civic Union 133 out of 199 KDNP Christian Democratic People’s Party Source: National Election Office of Hungary (as at the day(s) of the election)
1 A constitutional amendment in 2010 reduced the number of seats in the National Assembly
2 SZDSZ ceased to exist in 2014
Table 68b - Leadership of County Governments
Master Plan location
County Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2002 - 20061
Party or coalition with the relative
majority of seats 2006 - 2010 Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2010 - 2014
Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2014 -
Budapest Fejér MSZP Fidesz-KDNP-Nemzeti Fórum Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Pest MSZP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Balaton Veszprém MSZP-SZDSZ Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Debrecen Hajdú-Bihar MSZP Fidesz-KDNP-MAGOSZ Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Győr Győr-Moson-Sopron MSZP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Miskolc Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén MSZP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Szeged Csongrád MSZP-SZDSZ Fidesz-KDNP-Kisgazda Polgári Egyesülete-
Nemzeti Fórum-MAGOSZ-Vállalkozók Pártja Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Source: National Election Office of Hungary (as of the day(s) of the election)
1 The table includes all parties that have won at least the relative majority of seats. Absolute or qualified majorities are not marked separately. Coalitions are identified if they had at least one mutual candidate.
Coalitions and alliances may have changed during electoral periods.
Table 68c - Leadership of Municipal Governments
Master Plan location
Municipality Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2002 - 20061
Party or coalition with the relative
majority of seats 2006 - 2010 Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2010 - 2014
Party or coalition with the relative majority of seats 2014 -
Budapest Budapest MSZP-SZDSZ
Mayor: Gábor Demszky (SZDSZ)
MSZP-SZDSZ Mayor: Gábor Demszky (candidate of MSZP-SZDSZ)
Fidesz-KDNP Mayor: István Tarlós (independent2)
Fidesz - KDNP Mayor: István Tarlós (independent2)
Székesfehérvár MSZP-SZDSZ-FMNYP-
FPE MSZP-SZDSZ-FPE Fidesz Fidesz
Üllő Independent members Fidesz-ÖSZÜ Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Balaton Balatonfüred Fidesz-MDF-MKDSZ Fidesz-KDNP-MDF Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Balatonudvari Independent members Independent members Independent members Independent members
Veszprém MSZP-SZDSZ Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Debrecen Debrecen Fidesz-MDF Fidesz-MDF Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Győr Győr MSZP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Miskolc Miskolc MSZP-SZDSZ MSZP-SZDSZ Fidesz-KDNP Fidesz-KDNP
Szeged Szeged MSZP-SZDSZ-MSZDP-
CENTRUM MSZP-SZDSZ Fidesz MSZP-DK-Együtt PM-Szegedért
Source: National Election Office of Hungary (as at the day(s) of the election)
1 The table includes all parties that have won at least the relative majority of seats. Absolute or qualified majorities are not marked separately. Coalitions are identified if they had at least one mutual candidate.
Coalitions and alliances may have changed during electoral periods.
2 István Tarlós is officially independent, but supported by Fidesz-KDNP
Explanation of parties
CENTRUM Párt - Összefogás Magyarországért / Centrum Party - Collaboration for Hungary DK - Demokratikus Koalíció / Democratic Coalition
Együtt / Together
Fidesz - Magyar Polgári Szövetség / Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union FMNYP - Fejér Megyei Nyugdíjasok Pártja / Fejér County Pensioners’ Party FPE - Fehérvári Polgárok Egyesülete / Union of Fehérvár Citizens KDNP - Kereszténydemokrata Néppárt / Christian Democratic People’s Party LMP - Lehet Más a Politika / Politics Can Be Different
MDF – Magyar Demokrata Fórum / Hungarian Democratic Forum
MKDSZ - Magyar Kereszténydemokrata Szövetség / Hungarian Christian Democratic Union MSZDP - Magyarországi Szociáldemokrata Párt / Hungarian Social Democratic Party MSZP - Magyar Szocialista Párt / Hungarian Socialist Party
ÖSZÜ - Öntevékeny Szövetség Üllőért / Self-active Federation for Üllő PM - Párbeszéd Magyarországért / Dialogue for Hungary SZDSZ - Szabad Demokraták Szövetsége / Alliance of Free Democrats Szegedért / For Szeged
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69 Political party strengths and positions
78% of the members of the National Assembly are supportive of staging the Games
There is widespread political support for the Budapest 2024 Candidature. In the National Assembly, 78% of the seats are held by members of parties that are supportive. The National Assembly formalised this support through Parliamentary Decision No 31 / 2015 (VII 7), backing the intent to bid for the rights to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.
Mid-term polls conducted in December 2015 show, among decided voters, a lead of 51% for the reigning FIDESZ-KDNP coalition and 21% for the largest opposition party JOBBIK which is supportive of hosting the Games.
On 7 December 2015, the National Assembly, together with the Municipality of Budapest and the Hungarian Olympic Committee, ratified the tripartite Cooperation Agreement that describes the organisational and procedural framework for the Candidature, detailing the obligations of each party and the bid funding arrangements.
In 2015 the General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest, 25 of the 27 members present voted in support of staging of the Games in Budapest. More recently, in January 2016 the General Assembly formally approved the Games Master Plan.
Refer to Table 69 for a list of the political parties and their respective positions.
70 Schedule of elections
Terms of office for the National and Municipal Governments are four and five years respectively
Refer to Table 70 for details of the National Government and municipal elections in the period leading up to the Games. Parliamentary elections occur on a four-yearly cycle, while local and municipal elections occur every five years (recently amended from four year terms).
Hungary currently has 21 directly elected members within the 751-member European Parliament. Elections for the European Parliament occur every five years.
71 Government and non-government
organisations with Games roles
A highly empowered Organising Committee and delivery authority to be established
The Budapest 2024 Organising Committee, whose legal capacity will be established through the enactment of the Olympic Act during the Candidature, will have primary responsibility for the organisation of the Games and will be a highly empowered entity with direct reporting lines through its Chairman to the IOC Coordination Commission and the responsible Minister within the National Government.
Working in concert with the Organising Committee, the Budapest
Olympic Delivery Authority (BODA), also to be established
through the enactment of the Olympic Act, will be positioned as the dedicated and highly empowered public body responsible for overseeing the delivery of all Games-related infrastructure and for coordinating all government services related to the Games. BODA will also have responsibility for delivering the Olympic Village and media villages, the Olympic Park and other key non-competition venues. BODA will also retain oversight.
Assisting the Organising Committee and BODA will be a large number of government and non-government organisations. These delivery agencies have extensive experience and a track record of on-time and on-budget delivery.
Establishment of the Organising Committee and the BODA
The Cooperation Agreement concluded between the National
Government, the Hungarian Olympic Committee and the Municipality of Budapest on 7 December 2015 describes the proposed organisational arrangements for the Budapest 2024 Candidature and specifically references the requirement to enact
the Olympic Act. This act will be the vehicle for synthesising
the existing legal and regulatory environment relating to the Candidature and the staging of the Games and for granting the authorisations required for the efficient and effective planning and conduct of the Games.
Table 69 - Political Parties
Political party Percentage of national level seats held1
Percentage of Budapest regional / local level seats held1
Position on the staging of the Games (support / opposition / mixed)
Principal reasons for support / opposition
Fidesz-KDNP 65.83% 60.61% Support Sport is of strategic national importance, both to improve the health of society and provide young people with positive experiences. Creates opportunities, workplaces, attracts tourism and national investment. Elevates Budapest and the country as a landmark European tourist and business destination.
MSZP-Együtt-PM 16.08% 24.24% Opposition at national level The party has a different set of priorities for government investment and budgetary allocation.
Support at municipal level Games provide opportunity for positive impacts (broadly defined, various).
Jobbik 12.06% 3.03% Support National pride
LMP 2.51% 3.03% Opposition As for MSZP
DK 2.01% 6.06% Opposition at national level,
neutral at municipal level Different set of priorities for government investment and budgetary allocation. Other 1.51% 3.03% Mixed Very small parties whose positions range from supportive
to opposed for much of the same reasons above. The Municipality of Budapest serves both as the government for the capital region of Hungary and the City of Budapest
Each of the Mayors of the 23 districts of Budapest is a member of the General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest
1 Source: Official webpages of the National Assembly, General Assembly of Budapest and the related parties as of Feb. 2016
For abbreviations, refer to the legend of Tables 68
Table 70 - Schedule of elections
Date of election Type of election
2018 April / May Hungarian Parliamentary election
2019 May European election
2019 October Local / municipal elections 2022 April / May Hungarian Parliamentary election 2024 Month TBC European election
2024 October Local / municipal elections
The dates of the Hungarian Parliamentary elections are not confirmed, however they take place either in April or May four years after the preceding election. Local / municipal elections must be held in October.
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Table 71 - Games planning and delivery organisations
Organisations with Games planning and delivery roles Reporting relationships Delivery responsibilities Games oversight responsibilities
Organising Committee
The Budapest 2024 Organising Committee will be a highly empowered entity responsible under the terms of the Olympic Charter for the organisation of the Games. The Organising Committee will retain primacy in decision-making related to meeting Games time requirements and will report to the IOC Executive Board.
Direct reporting line to the IOC Coordination Commission through its Chairman
Direct reporting line through its Chairman to the responsible Minister within the National Government (with responsibility for all projects involving or critical to the Olympic and Paralympic Games)
– No permanent capital works responsibility
– Retains responsibility for Games Overlay
Primacy in decision-making related to meeting Games time requirements
Budapest Olympic Development Authority (BODA)
The BODA will be established as the dedicated and highly empowered public body responsible for delivering and / or overseeing the delivery of Games-related infrastructure projects. The BODA will also coordinate all Games-related services across government. A strong working relationship between the BODA and the Organising Committee is assured through the governance arrangements and common reporting lines.
Direct reporting relationship through its Chairman to the responsible Minister within the National Government
– Olympic Village and media villages – Olympic Park
– Key non-competition venues, e.g. IBC / MPC
Oversight and coordination responsibilities across all Games- related development activities and government services
Governmental Centre for Major Public Projects Non-profit Ltd (KKBK)
KKBK is a non-profit entity owned by the National Government created in January 2015 with responsibility for the preparation, technical support, implementation and inspection of government investment projects. Led by the Commissioner for Major Budapest Developments (who is also the Budapest 2024 Bid Chairman), KKBK is also responsible for the preparation and implementation of the special sports facility development projects, with total investments of more than USD 4 billion and a 2016 budget of USD 645 million.
Recent projects delivered by KKBK include:
– The Ferencváros Stadium (recipient of the Best New Venue award in the 2015 European Stadium Business Awards) – The Budapest Aquatics Centre (with construction undertaken in an accelerated two-year programme in preparation to host the
FINA World Championships in 2017)
– The Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest’s ‘MOME Laboratory’ campus – The National University of Public Service (Ludovika Campus)
Ministry of National Development on day-to-day activities
BODA for all Games-related projects
– Construction of all venues, other than those for which BODA is directly responsible for delivering
No Games oversight responsibilities
Exhibition Centre operator
The Budapest Exhibition Centre is operated by a private entity. A significant expansion and upgrade is planned to be undertaken by the private operator.
Privately operated
Will liaise with BODA on Games- related projects
– Planned expansion and upgrades No Games oversight responsibilities
Transport agencies
– National Infrastructure Development Limited (NIF) - responsible for the construction of Hungarian roads and motorways, as well as the modernisation of the railway infrastructure to make day-to-day transport safer and faster
– MÁV Zrt - the Hungarian State Railways company, responsible for operation of the rail infrastructure network – MÁV-START Zrt - a subsidiary of MÁV Zrt responsible for a range of rail passenger functions
Ministry of National Development on day-to-day activities
BODA for all Games-related projects
– Planned transport infrastructure on
which the Games are dependent No Games oversight responsibilities
Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK)
BKK is the 100% Municipality-owned transport organising authority of Budapest responsible for integrated strategic planning, development and management for all modes of public transport and road transport.
Municipality-owned Will liaise with BODA for all Games-related projects
– Additional temporary tramway track in Olympic Park
– Planned transport infrastructure on which the Games are dependent
No Games oversight responsibilities
Bud (Budapest Airport)
Budapest Airport is a private corporation responsible for managing, operating and developing the main international airport of Hungary, the Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
Privately operated
Will liaise with BODA on Games- related projects
– Planned expansion programme that includes construction of a new passenger pier, terminal, airport hotel and multi-modal hub
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The Act, expected to be passed by the General Assembly during the Candidature, will incorporate provisions related to:
–The establishment, organisation and responsibilities of the bodies and committees to make up the institutional system of the future Organising Committee (including the BODA)
–The exemption from taxes and duties for the future Organising Committee
–Intellectual property matters relating to the Games
–Compliance with the obligations of the Host City Contract
–A declaration that the Games-related capital expenditure