Alaptörvénnyel

Alaptörvénnyel is a Hungarian expression formed from alaptörvény, meaning the fundamental law or constitution. The phrase is used to indicate that something is in accordance with the constitution or grounded in its provisions. It appears frequently in legal texts, political discourse, and court decisions, for example in phrases like az alaptörvénnyel összhangban, meaning in line with the Fundamental Law.

In Hungary, az alaptörvény refers to the Fundamental Law of Hungary, the constitution in force since 2012. It sets the framework for the organization of the state, delineates the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and guarantees fundamental rights. As the supreme law, all other statutes must conform to it, and constitutional review may be sought to assess compatibility. Amendments to the alaptörvény generally require a two-thirds (kétharmados) parliamentary majority, reflecting its status as a basic norm within the legal system.

The adoption of the alaptörvény in 2011 and its entry into force in 2012 marked a significant reform of Hungary’s constitutional order, replacing the previous basic constitutional framework. Its articles cover topics such as the protection of human rights, the rule of law, and state organization, as well as transitional provisions guiding the legal system’s evolution.

In practice, the term alaptörvénnyel serves to emphasize constitutional compliance in legal drafting and judicial interpretation. It signals that rules, policies, or governmental actions must align with the Fundamental Law.