Government

Under the constitution of 1949, a Communist government was established in Hungary. In 1989 the constitution was revised and a democratic system of government was established. Amendments abolished the monopoly on political power that had been guaranteed to the Communist party in the constitution.

Hungary's government has three independent branches—executive, legislative, and judicial. Legislative power is held by the National Assembly, a unicameral body of 386 members, elected to four-year terms. The president, elected by the Assembly to a five-year term, is the head of state and the most powerful government official. His main duties are to authorize elections, serve as the parliament when the Assembly is not in session, and to act as the commander in chief of the armed forces. The prime minister, also elected by the Assembly, is the head of government and the head of the Council of Ministers.

There are 19 counties and 6 cities in Hungary, which also includes Budapest, each with an individual council with members elected popularly for four years.

The major political parties of Hungary include the Alliance of Free Democrats, the Federation of Young Democrats-Hungarian Civic Party, the Hungarian Socialist Party, and the Independent Smallholders' and Peasants' Party. Apart from these, there are the Christian Democratic People's Party, the Hungarian Democratic Forum, and the Hungarian Workers' Party.

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. It reviews, on appeal, the decisions of lower courts. There are two types of lower courts—district and county. In addition there are military courts as well.