The Hungarian parliament has taken a significant step in its ongoing efforts to distance the nation from the era of former leader Viktor Orban by passing a constitutional amendment aimed at ousting President Tamas Sulyok. The motion, which was officially described as a measure for "restoring rule-of-law democracy," passed with 139 votes in favor and six against.
This legislative move is a core component of the platform held by newly-voted Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who is working to dismantle the systems and influence left behind during Orban’s 16-year tenure. Magyar’s pro-European party, Tisza, currently commands a two-thirds majority in parliament, providing the necessary mandate to push through constitutional changes and reverse various policies from the previous administration. Addressing lawmakers prior to the vote, the Prime Minister declared the event a "significant day in the history of modern Hungary and the transition to democracy."
Magyar has criticized Sulyok for failing to fulfill his duties, specifically alleging that the president did not intervene against what he characterized as Orban’s antidemocratic actions. Removing Sulyok was a primary campaign promise for Magyar, who argues that his party's electoral victory grants him the mandate to fulfill this pledge. In response, Orban’s far-right Fidesz party has condemned the amendment as an "unprecedented" assault on the country's democratic order and chose to boycott the vote entirely. Viktor Orban did not attend the proceedings, as he was traveling to the United States to watch the World Cup.
While the role of the Hungarian president is largely ceremonial, the office holds critical powers, including the authority to sign legislation into law and the ability to request that the Constitutional Court review parliamentary acts. President Sulyok now has five days to sign the amendment into law. Should he refuse, the Tisza party has indicated it will initiate an impeachment procedure against him.
Hungary's presidential role contains a mostly ceremonial meaning, but the president is also responsible for signing legislation into law, with the person in office having the ability to ask the Constitutional Court to review laws passed by parliament.
