Prime Minister of Hungary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Hungary |
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| Style | Mr. Prime Minister (informal) His Excellency (diplomatic) |
| Member of | |
| Reports to | National Assembly |
| Seat | Carmelite Monastery (Budapest, Színház Street 5-7) |
| Nominator | President |
| Appointer | Elected by National Assembly |
| Term length | Four years, no term limit |
| Inaugural holder | Count Lajos Batthyány |
| Formation | 17 March 1848 |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | 4 823 000 Ft/US$ 13,460 monthly |
| Website | The Prime Minister's Office https://www.miniszterelnok.hu/ |
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The prime minister of Hungary (Hungarian: Magyarország miniszterelnöke) is the main leader of the government in Hungary. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country. The prime minister and their team, called the Cabinet, are responsible for their decisions. They answer to the Parliament, their political party, and ultimately to the people who vote in elections. The person holding this job right now is Viktor Orbán. He is the leader of the Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance party and has been prime minister since May 29, 2010.
The Hungarian Constitution explains how the prime minister is chosen. First, the president of Hungary suggests a person for the job. Then, the National Assembly formally votes to elect them. Usually, the president nominates the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the National Assembly. If no single party wins a clear majority, the president talks to the leaders of all the parties. They then pick the person who seems most likely to get enough votes in the assembly. This person is then elected by a simple majority vote. In real life, this often means the prime minister is the leader of the party that won the most votes, or the main partner in a group of parties working together.
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What is the Prime Minister's Title?
In Hungarian, the title for the head of government is miniszterelnök. This word literally means "minister-president." However, in English-speaking countries, the leader of a government in a similar system is usually called a "prime minister" or "premier." Because of this, most English sources translate the Hungarian title as "prime minister."
How the Position Started
The Palatine of Hungary
Before the prime minister role existed, there was a very important position called the palatine. This person was the highest official in the Kingdom of Hungary after the king. They were like a powerful helper to the king and even a top judge. You could think of them as a very early version of a prime minister.
At first, the king chose the palatine. Later, the Hungarian Diet (a kind of parliament) elected them. When the Habsburg family took control of Hungary, the king started appointing the palatine again. Eventually, this job became something that stayed in a specific branch of the Habsburg family.
Creating the Prime Minister Role
The actual position of prime minister was created during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. During this time, Hungarian revolutionaries wanted their own government. They wanted it to be separate from the Austrian Empire. One of their main demands was for a "responsible government" in Buda-Pest.
On March 17, 1848, King Ferdinand V appointed Count Lajos Batthyány as Hungary's very first prime minister. At that time, the government was called a "ministry," and its different parts were called "departments." After Hungary's fight for freedom was defeated, the position of prime minister was left empty for a while.
List of Prime Ministers
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Hungría para niños
- Records of prime ministers of Hungary
- List of prime ministers of Hungary by tenure
- List of prime ministers of Hungary (graphical)
- List of heads of state of Hungary
- List of Hungarian monarchs
- List of palatines of Hungary
