Local elections in Hungary – evolution of law and slow exchange of entities

Abstract

Hungary is subdivided administratively into 19 counties (megyék, singular: megye) and the capital city (főváros) Budapest. The counties are further subdivided into 175 districts (járások, singular: járás). The capital Budapest is subdivided into 23 districts (kerületek, singular: kerület). There are 23 towns with county’s rights (megyei jogú városok, singular: megyei jogú város), sometimes called urban counties. The local authorities of these towns have extended powers, but they are not independent territorial units. Local government in Hungary is composed of municipal councils and mayors for all villages, towns, and cities in the country, including the 23 districts of Budapest, as well as general assemblies for all of its 19 counties (megye) and the city of Budapest. Local-government elections are held every five years during the autumn following regular spring National Assembly elections (every four years). Local-government elections were most recently held in Hungary on October 13, 2019. Candidates from the Fidesz–Christian Democratic People’s Party (KDNP) alliance that has commanded an overwhelming majority in Hungary’s National Assembly over the past three parliamentary cycles dominated 2019 local elections in towns and cities, including Budapest, as well as at the county level, while – as customary – nominally independent candidates dominated these elections in small towns and villages.