Viktor Orbán’s government has removed László Kövér from his position as Speaker of the National Assembly, ending his 16-year tenure in the role.
The move, confirmed by parliamentary sources on April 17, 2026, follows a closed-door vote among Fidesz caucus members earlier that day. Kövér, who had served as Speaker since 2010 and previously held the post from 2002 to 2006, was informed of the decision during a party leadership meeting at the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest.
Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office stated that the change was made to “renew parliamentary leadership ahead of the upcoming EU presidency term,” though no specific timeline for the succession was provided. Kövér’s removal marks the first time since 2002 that a Fidesz-led government has replaced its parliamentary speaker mid-term.
Kövér, a founding member of Fidesz and long-time ally of Orbán, had become one of the most durable figures in Hungary’s post-2010 political landscape. His tenure as Speaker coincided with the passage of over 400 laws criticized by the European Commission for undermining judicial independence, media freedom, and electoral fairness.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny from Brussels over Hungary’s compliance with EU rule-of-law conditions. In March 2026, the European Commission launched infringement procedures against Hungary over its asylum law and judicial reforms, citing concerns about systemic risks to the Union’s legal framework.
Parliamentary procedure now requires the nomination of a new Speaker candidate by the largest parliamentary group. Fidesz holds a two-thirds supermajority in the 199-seat National Assembly, ensuring its nominee will be elected without opposition.
No official statement has been issued by Kövér since his removal. His office did not respond to requests for comment. The Fidesz parliamentary group has not yet named a successor, though internal sources indicate the decision will be finalized before the parliamentary session resumes on May 5, 2026.
The National Assembly remains in recess, with no plenary sessions scheduled until after the May holiday period. Committee function continues, but legislative activity is expected to remain limited until the new Speaker is installed.
