Hungary referendum to make December 24 a public holiday fails

A proposal by the Trade Union of Commercial Employees to declare December 24 a public holiday through a national referendum has failed to gain sufficient support. The National Election Committee (NVB) ruled that the number of valid signatures collected did not reach the required threshold of 100,000.

According to the Hungarian Fundamental Law, 200,000 signatures would mandate a referendum, while 100,000 signatures allow the Parliament to consider one. Because the signatures fell below the 100,000 mark, the NVB determined that the Parliament has no legal basis to even consider the request. The National Election Office concluded that mathematical calculations showed the valid signature count could not reach the threshold, precluding a detailed audit.

The union was also fined approximately 62,000 HUF for failing to submit 77 signature sheets by the deadline. Following the failure of the referendum initiative, representatives from the Tisza Party submitted a legislative proposal to Parliament on September 23. This proposal seeks to make December 24 a full public holiday starting in 2026, which would mandate all-day closures for shops, moving away from current regulations that allow retail operations until 2:00 PM.