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| Hungarian MPs approve controversial changes to constitution despite protests | Hungarian MPs approve controversial changes to constitution despite protests |
| (25 days later) | |
| Hungarian politicians have overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the constitution, which critics say threatens democratic checks and balances. | Hungarian politicians have overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the constitution, which critics say threatens democratic checks and balances. |
| The bill enshrines in law a number of policies that have previously been struck down as unconstitutional by the country's highest court. | The bill enshrines in law a number of policies that have previously been struck down as unconstitutional by the country's highest court. |
| The amendment was passed on Monday by a vote of 265 to 11, with 33 abstentions. Prime minister Viktor Orbán's conservative Fidesz party and its small ally, the Christian Democrats, and three independent deputies voted in favour. | The amendment was passed on Monday by a vote of 265 to 11, with 33 abstentions. Prime minister Viktor Orbán's conservative Fidesz party and its small ally, the Christian Democrats, and three independent deputies voted in favour. |
| The constitutional amendment has been criticised by the EU, the US and numerous Hungarian legal experts and civic groups, who worry it puts too much unchecked power in government hands. | The constitutional amendment has been criticised by the EU, the US and numerous Hungarian legal experts and civic groups, who worry it puts too much unchecked power in government hands. |
| Hundreds of protesters outside parliament on Monday called on President János Áder, a Fidesz ally, to veto the amendment. | Hundreds of protesters outside parliament on Monday called on President János Áder, a Fidesz ally, to veto the amendment. |
| Since taking power with a super-majority in parliament in 2010, Orbán has pushed through changes that Brussels says risk undermining the independence of the media, central bank, judiciary and other institutions. | Since taking power with a super-majority in parliament in 2010, Orbán has pushed through changes that Brussels says risk undermining the independence of the media, central bank, judiciary and other institutions. |
| His supporters argued that the real issue was that Hungary was making foreign power companies cut the prices they charge households, so angering powerful international business interests. | His supporters argued that the real issue was that Hungary was making foreign power companies cut the prices they charge households, so angering powerful international business interests. |
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