Ruling parties expect compromise will lead to amended constitution

Budapest, October 12 (MTI) – A compromise can be achieved to secure the two-thirds majority support required for the planned constitutional amendment to block the application of European Union migrant quotas in Hungary, ruling Fidesz group leader Lajos Kósa said on Wednesday.

Kósa told public channel M1 that Tuesday’s consultations between Fidesz and its governing ally, the Christian Democrats, as well as opposition Jobbik had resulted in an understanding that changes would be necessary to the original amendment proposal in respect of several technical details.

Additionally, there was a difference of opinion on one substantial issue. Jobbik proposed that the legislation against the quota that parliament is expected to pass in line with the constitution should be a two-thirds law rather than a simple-majority one, Kósa said.

He said further consultations are planned between the parties as well as one-to-one meetings between the parliamentary party leaders. The parliamentary debate is planned to be held next week.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced after the Oct. 2 referendum on migrant quotas that he would propose a constitutional amendment “to incorporate the will of the people into the fundamental law”. He submitted the proposal to parliament on Monday.