The president of Hungary signed into law a constitutional amendment that ends his term in office, following a dispute with the country’s new government. This move was part of efforts by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who won the April elections, to remove officials appointed during Viktor Orbán’s leadership.
Prime Minister Magyar had urged the president, Tamás Sulyok, to resign, citing his failure to oppose antidemocratic actions of Orbán’s government. When Sulyok declined, Magyar’s party, Tisza, passed an amendment this week to end his term immediately. Sulyok signed the amendment on the last day of the deadline, sharing on Facebook that he felt forced to compromise democratic values.
Sulyok remarked, “lasting proof that the fundamental values of a free society, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of power-sharing, have been trampled on in the interest of power.”
His term will conclude at midnight on Monday, with Parliament Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer temporarily stepping in until a new president is elected.
Since Magyar’s administration began, action has been taken to dismantle what is perceived as Orbán’s “mafia.” This includes removing many of Orbán’s appointees and shutting down public TV and radio services, which Magyar claims served Orbán’s party propaganda. Additionally, the Sovereignty Protection Office was closed, which opponents viewed as an intimidation tool.
The amendment also introduced judicial reforms, created an office to investigate financial abuses, and imposed a 12-year term limit on lawmakers.
Orbán reacted on Facebook, writing about the amendment’s signing, “tyranny is no longer a threat, but a reality,” expressing concern for future political safety.
Magyar countered in a video message, stating, “we have fulfilled several of our important commitments and returned what the Orbán regime tried to take away from the Hungarian people for many years.” He plans to convene his party to nominate a new president.
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