BUDAPEST, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's parliament on Monday approved the 17th amendment to the country's Fundamental Law, allowing the president to be removed from office if he refuses to promulgate a constitutional amendment passed by parliament.
The amendment was approved by 139 votes in favor, 6 against and zero abstentions.
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and its former coalition partner, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), did not take part in the vote in protest against what they described as an anti-democratic measure.
Besides establishing a procedure under which President Tamas Sulyok may be removed from office if he refuses to promulgate a constitutional amendment adopted by parliament, the modification also introduces a 12-year term limit for members of parliament, sets a mandatory retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, restores the Constitutional Court's authority to review budgetary and tax legislation, narrows the scope of laws requiring a two-thirds parliamentary majority, and provides the constitutional basis for establishing a National Asset Recovery and Protection Office. ■
