Hungarian Constitutional Rights Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does Article XXIII state regarding voting rights in Hungary?

Only immigrants can vote in local elections.

Adult citizens of EU member states residing in Hungary can vote. (correct)

Voting rights are limited to national elections only.

Only Hungarian citizens have the right to vote.

Which of the following is NOT a right recognized in Article XXI?

The right to a healthy environment.

The right to restore environmental damage caused.

The right to transport pollutant waste for disposal. (correct)

The right to public housing.

What principle is emphasized in Article XX regarding health?

Health is the responsibility of local governments only.

Health care is voluntary.

Only the wealthy have access to healthy food.

Everyone has the right to physical and mental health. (correct)

How does Article XXII ensure decent housing conditions in Hungary?

By requiring state and local governments to contribute to housing conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding citizenship regulations under Article XXIII?

Eligibility for voting may be subject to additional criteria as defined by a cardinal Act. Signup and view all the answers

What does Article XXII say about public space in Hungary?

Laws can mandate that staying in public space as a habitual dwelling may be illegal. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of European Union participation, which of the following does Article XXIII allow?

EU citizens residing in Hungary can vote in local elections. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of individuals who cause environmental damage as stated in Article XXI?

They must restore the environment or bear the costs of restoration. Signup and view all the answers

What is the right of every Hungarian citizen concerning public office?

Every citizen has the right to hold public office according to their aptitude and qualifications. Signup and view all the answers

Which individuals are excluded from voting according to the regulations?

Individuals disenfranchised due to a court decision for a crime or mental incapacity. Signup and view all the answers

What right do all voters have in relation to national referendums?

Anyone with voting rights in National Assembly elections can participate in national referendums. Signup and view all the answers

Which principle aims to ensure fairness in handling individual affairs by the authorities?

The right to have affairs handled impartially and fairly, within a reasonable time. Signup and view all the answers

Which right allows any individual to submit applications or complaints to public power organs?

The right to submit written applications, complaints, or proposals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the commitment of the State to use the latest technical solutions aim to improve?

To enhance the standard of public services and transparency. Signup and view all the answers

Who does not have the right to be voted for in Hungary?

Citizens of other EU Member States excluded from voting in their own country. Signup and view all the answers

What right does every individual staying lawfully in Hungary possess?

The right to move freely and choose their place of stay. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary obligation of parents towards their children as stated in the document?

To ensure their proper physical, mental, and moral development Signup and view all the answers

Which right is explicitly granted to employees in the document?

The right to negotiate collective agreements Signup and view all the answers

What measure is mentioned regarding the employment of children?

Employment of children is prohibited unless specified exceptions exist Signup and view all the answers

What is the intent behind Hungary's provision of social security?

To ensure assistance for various life situations, such as maternity and unemployment Signup and view all the answers

Which group is explicitly mentioned as needing protection through measures taken in Hungary?

Persons living with disabilities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT included as a reason for receiving social assistance in Hungary?

Financial mismanagement Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of employees and employers as outlined in the document?

To cooperate for ensuring jobs and community goals Signup and view all the answers

What does Hungary aim to maintain for the elderly citizens?

A general state pension system based on social solidarity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fundamental Law of Hungary (25 April 2011)

Consolidated version as of 1 October 2013
Proclaimed by the Hungarian Nation at the beginning of the millennium, with a sense of responsibility for every Hungarian

National Avowal

Proud that King Saint Stephen built the Hungarian State on solid Christian Europe ground 1000 years ago
Proud of forebearers who fought for the survival, freedom, and independence of the country
Proud of the outstanding intellectual achievements of the Hungarian people
Proud that Hungarians defended Europe's common values with talent and diligence
Recognize the role of Christianity in preserving nationhood; value the same
Promise to preserve the intellectual and spiritual unity of the nation, torn apart in the last century
Proclaim that nationalities living with them are constituent parts of the Hungarian political community and the state
Committed to promoting and safeguarding Hungarian heritage, language, culture, and the languages and cultures of nationalities living in Hungary
Committed to safeguarding and protecting all man-made and natural assets in the Carpathian Basin
Bear responsibility for the descendants; protect their living conditions; and making prudent use of material, intellectual, and natural resources
Do not recognize the communist constitution of 1949, because it was the basis for tyrannical rule; proclaim it invalid
Agree with the members of the first free National Assembly, who proclaimed their current liberty as born in the 1956 Revolution
Date the restoration of self-determination from 19th March 1944 to 2nd May 1990
Conclude that this date marks the beginning of new democracy and constitutional order
Fundamental Law to be the basis of legal order, an alliance among Hungarians of the past, present, and future
Fundamental Law to express the nation's will and the form in which they want to live

Foundation

Article A: Name of country is Hungary
Article B: Independent, democratic rule-of-law State; republic
Source of public power: The people
Power exercised by: The people
Article C: Functioning of the Hungarian State based on the principle of division of powers
No one acts with the aim of acquiring/exercising power by force
Everyone has the right and the obligation to resist such attempts in a lawful way
Article D: One single Hungarian nation bearing responsibility for the fate of Hungarians living beyond borders
Support survival and development of their communities: Support preservation of their identity
Support and maintain individual and collective rights
Establishment of community self-governments and their prosperity in their native lands: Promote cooperation with each other and Hungary
Article E: (1) Hungary contributes to European unity for liberty, well-being, and security of Europeans
(2) Participating in the European Union allows Hungary to utilize certain fundamental law-related competences in conjunction with the member states through European Union institutions.
(3) European Union law may lay down binding rules of conduct

Article F

Capital of Hungary shall be Budapest
Territory of Hungary consists of the capital, counties, cities, towns, and villages; capital and cities/towns may be divided into districts
Article G: Children of Hungarian citizens are Hungarian citizens by birth; Cardinal Act to specify other cases of origin/acquisition of Hungarian citizenship
Hungary protects its citizens
No one deprived of Hungarian citizenship established by birth or acquired in a lawful manner
Cardinal act to define detailed rules for citizenship

Article H

Official language in Hungary shall be Hungarian
Hungary protects the Hungarian language
Hungary protects the Hungarian Sign Language as part of Hungarian culture

Article I

Coat of arms: Vertically divided shield with pointed base; left field with 8 horizontal bars of red and silver
Right field with a red background depicting a base of three green hills, a golden crown atop the higher central hill, and a silver patriarchal cross on top of the higher hill
Holy Crown rests on top of the shield
Flag of Hungary: Three horizontal bands of red, white, and green, all of equal width

Article J

National holidays:

March 15th (1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence)
August 20th (Foundation of the State and King Saint Stephen)
October 23rd (1956 Revolution and War of Independence)

Article K

Official currency of Hungary is the Forint

Article L

Hungary protects the institution of marriage between a man and a woman
Family as the basis of survival of the nation
Family ties based on marriage and/or the relationship between parents and children
Encourages the commitment to families/children; protection of families

Article M

The economy of Hungary based on work, which creates values, and on the freedom of enterprise
Ensures the conditions for fair economic competition
Acts against abuse of dominant positions; protects the rights of consumers

Article N

Hungary observes the principle of balanced, transparent, and sustainable budget management
National Assembly and the Government have primary responsibility

Article O

Everyone is responsible for him/herself; contribute to state and community tasks according to abilities and possibilities

Article P

Natural resources (land, forests, water reserves), native plant/animal species, and cultural assets, are the common heritage of the nation
State and everyone has an obligation to protect them for future generations
Limits and conditions for acquisition and use of arable land and forests laid down in a Cardinal Act

Article Q

Hungary strives for cooperation with all people and countries of the world to create and maintain peace and security and achieve humanity’s sustainable development.

Article R

Fundamental Law is the foundation of the legal system of Hungary
Fundamental Law and legal regulations binding on everyone
Provisions of Fundamental Law should be interpreted in accordance with their purposes

Article S

A proposal for adoption or amendment of Fundamental Law can be submitted by
- President of the Republic
- Government
- Parliamentary committee
- Member of the National Assembly
For adoption or amendment, two-thirds of the Members of the National Assembly must vote in favor
Speaker of the National Assembly signs Fundamental Law/amendment, sends it to President within five days
President of the Republic signs within five days of receiving and orders promulgation in official gazette

Article T

Generally binding rules of conduct may be laid down

Fundamental Law
Legal regulations adopted by an organ with legislative competence specified in Fundamental Law
A cardinal Act defines rules for local government decrees

Article U

The form of government based on the rule of law and will of the nation through the 1990 elections and the previous communist dictatorship incompatible

The Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (and its legal predecessors)

(and other political organizations established to serve them in the spirit of communist ideology) were criminal organizations. Those involved shall have responsibility without time limit for:

Maintaining and directing an oppressive regime; violating laws; betraying the nation
Thwarting democratic attempts built on a multi-party system, with Soviet military assistance
Establishing legal order based on exclusive exercise of powers and unlawfulness
Ending economy based on freedom of property and indebting the country
Submitting Hungary’s economy, national defence, diplomacy, and human resources to foreign interests
Systematically devastating traditional values of European civilization
Depriving citizens or groups of citizens of fundamental human rights
Serious acts like murder or delivering people to foreign power, unlawful imprisonment, deporting to forced labor camps, torturing
Depriving citizens of assets; restricting the rights to property
Totally depriving citizens of liberties; submitting political opinions and will to coercion; discrimination based on origin, world view, or political belief; impeding advancement/success due to knowledge, diligence, and talent
Setting up and operating a secret police; observing and influencing private lives
Suppressing the Revolution and War of Independence in 1956

Article VIII

Right to peaceful assembly
Right to establish and join organizations
Formation of and freedom to operate political parties based on association rights
Political parties participate in forming and expressing people's will
Political parties cannot directly exercise public power
Rules of operation and management of political parties are laid down in a cardinal Act
Interest representation organizations (like Trade Unions) formed based on right to association

Article IX

Right to freedom of speech
Recognition and protection of freedom and diversity of press
Free dissemination of information necessary for formation of democratic public opinion
Political advertisements during election campaigns may only be published in media services free of charge, under conditions ensuring equal opportunities; detailed rules defined in a cardinal Act
Freedom of speech cannot be used with the purpose of violating human dignity of others

Article X

Freedom of scientific and artistic creation
Freedom of learning (acquisition highest possible level of knowledge)
Freedom of teaching (within the framework of Act)
State not to decide on issues of scientific truth, only scientists evaluate scientific research
Protection of scientific and artistic freedom for the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian Academy of Arts
Higher education institutions are autonomous in content and methods of research and teaching
Organisation of higher education institutions regulated by Act
Laws on management of public higher education institutions are made by government, which supervises institutions

Article XI

Every Hungarian citizen has the right to education
Public education extended and generalized providing free, compulsory primary education, accessible secondary education, and higher education to students based on ability

Article XII

Freedom to freely choose work and engage in entrepreneurial activities
Everyone obliged to contribute to enhancement of the community through work based on abilities and possibilities
Hungary works to provide conditions ensuring that everyone who wants to work can work

Article XIII

Every Hungarian has right to property and inheritance
Ownership will entail social responsibility
Property can only be expropriated in exceptional cases for public interest, according to Act; includes full, unconditional, and immediate compensation

Article XIV

Hungarian citizens not expelled from the territory of Hungary and can return from abroad at any time
Foreigners can only be expelled according to a lawful decision
Collective expulsion prohibited

Article XV

All individuals equal before the law with full legal capacity
Hungary guarantees fundamental rights to all without discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, language, religion, political opinion, nationality, social origin, property, birth, or any other status
Women and men have equal rights
Separate measures to promote equality of opportunity and social inclusion
Separate measures to protect families, children, women, elderly, or disabled people

Article XVI

Every child has right to protection and care necessary for physical, mental, and moral development
Parents have the right to raise children in a meaningful way
Parents obliged to take care of minor children; obligation includes provisions of schooling
Adult children have obligation towards their parents

Article XVII

Employees and employers cooperate with each other to ensure jobs and sustainability of national economy and other community goals
Employees and employers have right to negotiate, conclude agreements, and take collective actions to defend interests, including right of workers to discontinue work
Every employee has right to working conditions respecting health, safety, and dignity
Every employee has the right to daily and weekly rest periods, and annual paid leave

Article XVIII

Employment of children is prohibited, except in cases in Act, if physical/mental/moral development not harmed
Separate measures to protect young workers and protection of parents

Article XIX

Hungary strives to provide social security to all citizens
Assistance provided to citizens in cases of maternity, illness, disability, handicap, widowhood, orphanage, unemployment for reasons outside of their control, as provided by an Act.
Hungary will implement social security for those in need

Article XX

Everyone has the rights to physical and mental health
Effective implementation (e.g., free genetically unmodified agriculture; ensuring access to healthy food/water; organising work safety/healthcare; supporting sports and physical activity)
Rules on health and safety for the population defined

Article XXI

Recognition of everyone’s right to a healthy environment
Anyone inflicting damage on environment obligated to restore it or bear the costs

Article XXII

Hungary strives to ensure decent housing conditions and public services for all
The State and local governments contribute to creating decent housing conditions, by ensuring accommodation for everyone.

Article XXIII

Every adult Hungarian citizen has the right to vote and be voted for in elections for national assembly, local government representatives, and mayors, and to European parliament.
Every adult citizen of other European Union Member States with residence in Hungary has the same voting rights.
Every adult recognized as refugee, immigrant, or resident has the right to vote in local government representatives
Requirements for eligibility to vote can be specified and differentiated in individual cases

Article XXIV

Everyone has the right to have their affairs dealt with fairly and respectfully, within the appropriate time, by the authorities. Regulations to give reason for decisions
Compensation of damages for unlawful acts committed by authorities

Article XXV

Everyone has the right to submit written applications, complaints, or proposals to any organs exercising public power

Article XXVI

The State works to use updated technical solutions and science achievements to make public services more efficient
State works to improve public-affairs transparency and promote equality in opportunity

Article XXVII

Everyone lawfully residing in Hungary has the right to freely move about/choose place of stay; protected by Hungary while residing abroad

Article XXVIII

Everyone has right to a fair/public trial for any charges within a reasonable time
No one is considered guilty until proven so with a final court decision
Defense rights for people subject to criminal processes (includes rights to defense counsels)

Article XXIX

Nationalities living in Hungary are constituent parts of the state and every Hungarian citizen belonging to a nationality has right to freely express/preserve identity: and right to use mother tongue
Nationalities living in Hungary may establish self government at local and national level

Article XXX

Every citizen contributes to covering necessary common needs relative to capabilities and economic participation
The effort to support children in covering their needs
The conditions for support can be regulated within an Act

Article XXXI

All Hungarian citizens have an obligation to defend the country
Hungary maintains a volunteer reserve system for national defense purposes
Measures on national crisis/preventive defense: adult Hungarian men fulfilling military service
For state of crisis, adult Hungarian citizens may be ordered to perform national defense work

Article 32

Rules on the implementation of duties and tasks determined by the respective law
Provisions on coordinating and ordering matters that facilitate the operation of the National Assembly
The security of the National Assembly is guarded by the Parliamentary Guard, who operates under the authority of the Speaker of the National Assembly

Article 15

The government the principal organ of the executive branch; exercises functions not expressly conferred on any other organ by fundamental law/regulations. Responsible to the National Assembly

Article 16

Members of government are Prime Minister and the Ministers
Prime Minister designates deputy Prime Ministers as needed
Prime Minister elected by National Assembly, proposed by the President of the Republic

Article 17

Ministries to be listed in Act
Act allows ministers without portfolio
The capital or county government and state administration organs

Article 18

The general policy is determined by the Prime Minister,
The government sectors controlled by ministers individually or jointly. Ministers accountable for their actions

Article 19

The national assembly may require information from the government on the government's position relative to the decision-making processes of the intergovernmental institution of the European Union – to take a position on drafts that have been placed on the agenda
In the EU decision-making procedure the government will act relative to the positions already taken by the Union

Article 20

Prime Minister’s mandate ends upon newly elected National Assembly
National Assembly can express no-confidence in the Prime Minister
Prime Minister can submit confidence vote
National Assembly decides on question of confidence within 8 days of motion submission

Article 21

One-fifth of the members of the Assembly may together with the designation of a candidate for the office of prime minister submit a motion for confidence in the Prime Minister

Article 22

As of the end of the mandate the government acts as caretaker until a new government is formed
Caretakers may not consent to be bound by international treaties, and may only adopt decrees that are authorized by an Act or that relate to urgency

Article 23

Under cardinal act the National Assembly can establish autonomous regulatory organs
Heads of organs appointed by the Prime Minister or the president
Organs must annually report to the national assembly

Article 26

Judges independent and subordinated only to Acts
Judges cannot be instructed in judicial activities
Judges can only be removed as listed out in Cardinal Act
Judges can't be members of political parties

Article 27

Courts generally operate in chambers
Non-professional judges may participate in justice administrative procedures, according to the law

Article 28

Courts will interpret legal regulations based on their purposes/ Fundamental Law
Presumption that legal regulations serve moral/economical purposes

Article 29

Prosecutor General and prosecution service are independent
Prosecutor General and prosecution service contribute to administration of justice by actively enforcing criminal demands of punishment

Article 30

Commissioner for fundamental rights performs fundamental rights protection activities
Any individual may start proceedings

Article 31

Rules for local governance are laid down.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key rights and principles outlined in the Hungarian Constitution, including voting rights, citizenship regulations, and health principles. This quiz covers Articles XXI to XXIII, focusing on individual responsibilities and rights in Hungary.