Orban barred from returning as PM

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment barring individuals who have served as Prime Minister for more than eight years from returning to the post. The amendment, adopted by parliament on June 15, applies retroactively to May 2, 1990, disqualifying former pro-Russian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who held power for 16 total years. Sulyok, a former Constitutional Court head, verified the amendment met procedural requirements and found no violations. The amendment's justification cites protecting constitutional principles of the rule of law and democracy.