Hungary's Parliament Set to Vote on Constitutional Amendment to Oust President

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Hungarian parliament.

Hungary's parliament is expected to approve a constitutional amendment on Monday proposed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government that would remove President Tamas Sulyok from office.

Magyar has described Sulyok as a "puppet" of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose 16-year rule came to an end following Magyar's landslide election victory in April.

The proposed legislation forms part of Magyar's broader effort to dismantle the power structures established during Orbán's time in office, a move he says reflects the strong mandate he received from voters.

Although Hungary's president has limited executive authority, with powers largely confined to vetoing legislation or referring laws for judicial review, the office remains an important national symbol.

Magyar's party Tisza ⁠has a supermajority in parliament which enables it to modify the constitution and roll back changes by Orban that it says eroded democracy. It has taken swift action, suspending news broadcasts on public service television and radio last week as part of an overhaul to make public media independent.

Magyar said in a Facebook post on Saturday that parliament would approve the constitutional amendment on Monday to remove Sulyok. If Sulyok does not sign the legislation within five days, an impeachment proceding would be launched, Magyar said.

Sulyok, who served for 10 ‌years as ⁠a Constitutional Court judge until parliament appointed him president in 2024, said he has no political agenda.

He has objected to the amendment, asking for an assessment from the Venice Commission, a panel of the Council of Europe human rights body which gives advice on whether constitutional changes are ⁠democratic. The Venice Commission has declined comment.

Last Thursday Orban's Fidesz party held a protest in support of Sulyok. Orban did not take part.

Magyar, whose government plans a constitutional reform in the autumn, is ⁠expected to address parliament at 1300 CET before the voting on the bill, which also limits lawmakers' terms to 12 years. The bill says its aim is to ensure "the ⁠preconditions for the restoration of constitutional democracy".

At the same time, Kevin Warsh is preparing for his first appearance before Congress as Fed Chair, with new inflation data likely to dominate the conversation, while Jeanne Foley is head of FX Strategy at Rabobank.

The amendment would end Sulyok's term immediately, citing society's "serious loss of confidence" in him. Parliament would elect a new president until a new constitution takes effect, or for a maximum of five years.

Source: Reuters



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