Hungarian Parliament - Definition

The National Assembly of Hungary (Országgyűlés) is the national parliament of Hungary. The unicameral body consists of 386 members elected to 4-year terms. Parties must win at least 5% of the popular vote in order to enter the assembly. At the most recent parliamentary elections in 2002, four parties passed the minimum threshold: the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) (178 seats), the coalition party Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ) (19 seats), MSZP/SZDSZ joint candidate (1 seat), and the Hungarian Civic Party (FIDESZ) with the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) (188 seats).

The head of the largest faction (in fact, coalition) is the Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány of the MSZP. The current speaker of the Assembly is Dr. Katalin Szili of the MSZP.

The Assembly includes 25 standing committees to debate and report on introduced bills and to supervise the activities of the ministers.

The Constitutional Court of Hungary has the right to challenge legislation on the grounds of constitutionality.

The assembly has met in the Building of Parliament in Budapest since 1902.

External links

• Official website (Hungarian) (http://www.mkogy.hu/)
• Official website (English) (http://www.mkogy.hu/parl_en.htm)