Cover Osteuropa 5/2012

In Osteuropa 5/2012

In the Interest of Power
Hungary’s New Electoral System

Alan Renwick


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

Hungary has a new electoral law. This quickly became the subject of criticism, which claimed the law, like many other reforms of the political system over the past two years, serves only to secure the power of the ruling Fidesz party for the long run. But do the reduction in the size of parliament, the shift in favour of majority rule, and the new one-man constituencies perhaps serve the public interest as well? Detailed analysis shows that the key elements of the disputed reforms are suited to cementing Fidesz’s position of power.

(Osteuropa 5/2012, pp. 3–18)