Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)

Appendix II. Statutes

939 The Regent represents Hungary in international relations. He may send and receive diplomatic agents. He may, through the responsible Council of Ministers, conclude alliances and other treaties with foreign powers on behalf of Hungary; however, treaties relating to matters within the competence of the legislature, shall require the approval of the National Assembly. The previous approval of the National Assembly shall be required for a declaration of war, for the use of the armed forces outside the boundaries of the country and for the conclusion of peace. However, in the case of imminent danger, the Regent may, with the joint responsibility of the whole Council of Ministers and subject to the subsequent approval of the National Assembly, to be requested without delay, order the use of the armed forces outside the frontiers of the country. The Regent shall exercise the executive power exclusively through the Council of Ministers responsible to the National Assembly. His orders and decrees, including those concerning the armed forces, shall only be valid if countersigned by the competent responsible Minister. However, this provision shall not apply to the Regent's constitutional powers relating to the command, direction or internal organization of the National Army. The Regent shall not have the right to confer nobility or titles of nobility. He may not exercise the royal right of paramount advowson [royal patronage over churches]. The Regent may grant general amnesty excepting to those who were tried and convicted for offences described in Law No. Ill of 1848, § 32, or in Law No. XVIII of 1870, § 9; such persons may only be pardoned by virtue of legislative act. § 14. The person of the Regent shall be inviolable and shall receive the same protection as the laws in force provide for the King. The Regent may be impeached for violations of the Constitution or of the laws by the National Assembly. Proceedings for impeachment may only be instituted by a motion signed by at least one hundred members of the National Assembly; impeachment requires a two-thirds vote of the total membership. A special statute shall regulate the procedure to be followed. § 15. The Regent's title shall be: „His Serene Highness, The Regent." § 16. The National Assembly shall fix an honorarium for the Regent.