From Minimal to Subordinate: A Final Verdict? The Hungarian Parliament, 1990–2002

Abstract

Despite impressive surface stability, the Hungarian parliament has gone through several transformations. Most importantly, the coordinate legislature after systemic change has become a subordinate legislature. While in its structural attributes the Hungarian parliament demonstrates considerable stability, fundamental transformation can be observed in its operation, performance and relationship to other institutions and actors, especially the government. The diminished law-making functions were not counterbalanced by scrutiny functions. The changing role and place of the parliament can be explained both by the requirement of effectiveness and the development of political institutions towards majoritarianism.