Jobbik repeats call for direct election of president

The conservative Jobbik party has again proposed electing Hungary’s president by a direct vote, saying it would strengthen civic democracy.

Jobbik lawmaker Koloman Brenner told an online press conference on Monday that though his party had no intention of changing Hungary’s political system, a president elected directly by popular vote could provide a useful counterbalance to the prime minister in office.

The only change Jobbik would make when it comes to the powers of the head of state, he said, was requiring a two-thirds majority for passing bills sent back to parliament by the president.

Brenner said that

unlike parliamentary elections, presidential election campaigns would be about choosing the candidate best capable of embodying the unity of the nation, rather than political divisions.

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