Hungary Parliament Votes to Remove President
Hungary’s Parliament has approved a constitutional amendment aimed at removing President Tamás Sulyok from office. The measure forms part of Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s broader effort to dismantle institutions associated with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government.
Hungary Parliament Votes to Remove President
The constitutional amendment passed with 139 votes in favour and six against. It states that Sulyok’s presidential term should end because of a serious loss of public confidence.
Parliament would then elect a replacement who would serve until Hungary adopts a new constitution or for a maximum term of five years.
Sulyok must sign the amendment within five days. Magyar has warned that impeachment proceedings could begin if the president refuses to approve the legislation.
Péter Magyar Targets Orbán-Era System
Magyar has accused Sulyok of acting as a political ally of Orbán and failing to oppose measures that weakened Hungary’s democratic institutions.
His centre-right Tisza Party secured the two-thirds parliamentary majority required to amend the constitution after winning the April election.
Sulyok, who was elected president by Parliament in 2024, has rejected calls to resign and maintained that he does not follow a political agenda. Hungary’s presidency is largely ceremonial, although the office can return legislation or refer bills to the Constitutional Court.
Constitutional Amendment Introduces Wider Reforms
The reform package also introduces a 12-year term limit for members of Parliament and sets a retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges.
Orbán’s Fidesz party boycotted the vote and criticised the amendment as an attack on Hungary’s constitutional order.
Magyar’s government also plans to begin a public process to prepare a new constitution as part of its wider political and institutional reform programme.
