Hungary Constitutional Court turnover

In July 2026 Hungary’s parliament moved to fill a vacancy on the Constitutional Court after the 17th amendment imposed a 12‑year term limit, ending former judge Csaba Hende’s brief tenure. The Tisza parliamentary group nominated Dr. Pál Sonnevend, a law‑school dean and constitutional‑law scholar, for the post. Prime Minister Péter Magyar endorsed the choice, while Amnesty International and the opposition Fidesz faction criticised the accelerated timetable and questioned the legitimacy of both the nomination and Hende’s earlier removal.

A few days later it was reported that Hende’s service, enabled by a 2024 amendment that lowered the required legal experience, lasted just over a year before the new amendment forced his departure on 19 July. Parliament had already selected Sonnevend as his successor, indicating a rapid succession process driven by the recent constitutional changes.

The two snapshots together show how recent amendments have reshaped the composition of Hungary’s Constitutional Court, prompting swift nominations and raising concerns over procedural transparency.