The Influence on the Structure of the Legislature: Examining Hungary’s Electoral Rights Throughout the 19th and 20th Centuries
Keywords:
Electoral system, electoral rights, parliaments, national assembly, right to vote, right to be elected, requirements to be a representative, Hungarian electoral historyAbstract
This article explores the evolution of electoral rights in Hungary in the 19th and 20th centuries, uncovering the pivotal historical moments, legislative reforms, and social transformations that have shaped the country’s electoral system as it stands today. Placing particular emphasis on the central role of members of parliament, the study seeks to trace the arduous journey towards the establishment of universal suffrage for all eligible citizens. From 1848, when parliament enacted the first modern civilian electoral law, to the absolute control of the Party under the Soviet-type dictatorship, electoral law in Hungary has undergone a dynamic metamorphosis, shaped by shifting social norms and the volatile political and military climate of each era. The entire process encapsulates the ongoing struggle between democratic aspirations and the evolving legal framework.
