Hungarian parliament to elect new ombudsman

Lawmakers will vote to elect Hungary’s next ombudsman for fundamental rights during a two-day session of parliament next week.

Monday’s session will start at 1pm with lawmakers marking Semmelweis Day, a day of national health care. Afterwards, MPs will get to address parliament ahead of the agenda.

Later, Hungarian parliament will vote on establishing a select committee tasked with appointing the members of the Media Council of Hungary’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH). This will be followed by interpellations and direct questions.

On Tuesday, following questions to the cabinet, lawmakers will vote to elect the new ombudsman.

President János Áder has nominated Ákos Kozma, the deputy head of the Independent Police Complaints Board, for the post.

The ombudsman is elected by a two-thirds vote in parliament for a six-year term and may be re-elected once. The current ombudsman, law professor László Székely, has held the position since September 2013.

Kozma is an expert in constitutional law and held government positions during the first Orbán government between 1998 and 2002.

Parliament will also vote on ten bills, including an amendment proposal submitted by the ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat alliance dubbed Lex Czeglédy.

Under the proposal, an election candidate would not have immunity in criminal proceedings if charges are pressed or the candidate is detained before they are officially registered as a candidate. The bill was submitted after the National Election Committee decided against lifting the immunity of Csaba Czeglédy, a former Democratic Coalition MEP candidate who has been investigated in connection with corruption.

Parliament will also vote on postponing the introduction of a system of independent administrative courts with authority to make rulings in matters of public administration. Further, MPs will consider granting permission to the United States to station its armed forces in Hungary.

Source: MTI