Parliament passed a new civil code yesterday, approving Hungary’s most extensive and complex legislation, containing some 1,200 provisions. The bill will now go to President László Sólyom for endorsement or rejection.
It received 191 affirmative votes, as all Socialist MPs and six Free Democrats supported it, while Fidesz, most Free Democrats and former Democratic Forum MPs voted against, 168 MPs in total. Fidesz’s Gábor Kubatov inadvertently voted in favour.
Lawyers and the public have eight months to prepare for changed regulations, as the new law takes effect on May 1, 2010.
The code addresses individual rights, family law – which had hitherto been governed by a separate act – detailed regulations on possessions and property, and provisions pertaining to contracts and estate law.
The fundamental principle of the new civil code is respect for individual autonomy and dignity, private property and contractual freedom, competitiveness, equal rights for equal parties and greater protection of weaker persons, according to state news agency MTI.
Before the vote several amendments were approved, one of which bans those living in registered life partnerships – a category introduced to allow same-sex partnerships – from adopting children. That passed with 328 votes in favour, as it was supported by Fidesz and the Christian Democrats, although they rejected the new legislation as a whole.
Under the new civil code a person who is insulted in public for belonging to a social group may demand an apology. Media outlets that violate privacy rights will have to pay a “grievance fee,” but may not have to issue a correction.
How does one “inadvertently” vote in parliment?
And what exactly is a “social group”? Are the people commenting on this site a “social group”, I mean we are kinda socializing arn’t we?
Besides, what has this world come to when you have to implement “laws” so that a person can demand an apology. Picture it “Now say your sorry Lajos”, now that will be heartfelt. How pathetic!
What was wrong with a good slap up the side of the head anyways?
justasking,
“How does one “inadvertently” vote in parliment?”
My guess is that he pressed the wrong button, but I too am intrigued by this: don’t they have a mechanism by which he can change his vote?
Most Parliaments have some time when the button must be pushed, like 10 seconds and that it needs to be pushed for a minimum of time, like 3 seconds.
When the 10 seconds are finished, you are fried.
What would the alternative be:
- ‘I want to change my vote because if I do that I will change the outcome of the result’.
Sounds like a workable solution?
-
If you cannot stay awake and listen when the Speaker presents the different proposals and push the green or red button in time, well, maybe you should not be there at all?
But maybe he was both colour-blind and cannot differ right from left?
Viking,
“Sounds like a workable solution?”
Good Point: but it leaves the UK procedure open to similar abuse.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_(vote)
I can imagine MPs hanging around at the back of the queue waiting to see who goes where before plumping for ‘Aye’ or ‘No’. I suppose that is why we have whips.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whip_(politics)
Is there an equivalent to whips in Hungary?
@Sophist: “Is there an equivalent to whips in Hungary?” I have no idea, so I tried looking up ‘pártképviselők részvételét felügyelő képviselő’ (party whip) and ‘párt felügyelője’ (chief party whip), but got nothing closely related. Wouldn’t know what else to call them. Would be surprised if most of the parties need whips, their followers/members bleat like sheep anyway.