Hungarian Prime Minister Vows to Remove President Sulyok Through Constitutional Amendment

Following his decisive victory in the April elections, Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has announced plans to amend the nation’s constitution to dismiss President Tamás Sulyok. The move comes after Sulyok declined to resign, marking a significant constitutional confrontation between the new administration and a holdover from the previous regime.

Magyar, whose Tisza party secured a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, has pledged to replace Sulyok and other officials appointed by his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. Accusing the president of prioritizing Orbán’s interests over the public good, Magyar has repeatedly demanded Sulyok’s departure, most recently issuing a deadline of May 31.

Sulyok, who was appointed to the presidency in February 2024 by Orbán’s Fidesz party without a direct popular vote, has steadfastly refused to step down. He stated his intention to complete his five-year term, arguing that the current standoff exacerbates social divisions and harms the international perception of Hungarian democracy. Sulyok further warned that the political crisis could jeopardize the release of €16.4 billion (£14.2 billion) in European Union funds, which have been withheld due to democratic backsliding under Orbán’s leadership. While the EU recently indicated that reforms driven by the new government could soon unlock this funding, Sulyok insisted that the dispute undermines the country’s democratic standing.

The constitutional clash centers on the new government’s legislative power. With a supermajority in parliament, Magyar’s party possesses the authority to alter the constitution, a tool deemed essential for dismantling Orbán-era reforms. Magyar informed reporters that the removal process is expected to take approximately one month.

Despite the presidential role being largely ceremonial in Hungary’s political system, Sulyok retains specific powers, such as confirming public appointments and referring legislation to the constitutional court or back to parliament for reconsideration. These mechanisms could potentially hinder or delay the new government’s reform agenda. On Monday, Sulyok exercised one such power by announcing several military appointments via Facebook after meeting with Magyar.

In response to the president’s refusal to leave office, Fidesz condemned Magyar’s demand as an "unlawful ultimatum." Magyar intensified his criticism on social media platform X, stating that Sulyok had "never stood up for the vulnerable, for those under attack, or for the rule of law." Previously, following the election results, Magyar described the president as "unworthy of representing the unity of the Hungarian nation."

Sulyok’s presidency began after Katalin Novák resigned amid controversy over the government’s handling of a child sex abuse scandal. Meanwhile, the new government is taking steps to prevent a return to power by the previous administration. Magyar’s party has proposed a constitutional amendment that would limit any future prime minister to a maximum of eight years in office, following Orbán’s 16-year tenure, which ended when he stepped down as a member of parliament in April.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-01 16:54:28 UTC