ABSTRACT
The Hungarian constitutional system is a moderate parliamentary regime, in which the opposition has a strong position. The Hungarian Party system is well known for its stability: all current parliamentary parties have been around since the time of the Round Table Talks in 1989. This party stability is accompanied by the stability of major constitutional institutions and a relatively low interest (and participation) in politics. Although stable, the political sphere is markedly polarized, the language of politics is often hostile, and consensus seeking is not a high priority.1 The polarization of elite politics is also mirrored in social polarization with lack of trust in political institutions and political parties, while political participation is moderate at best.2
