Hungarian Parliament Decides on Presidential Removal
On July 13, 2026, Hungary's parliament voted to remove President Tamás Sulyok from his position. This action comes in the wake of the defeat of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was in power for 16 years. The newly elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party gained a two-thirds majority in April, successfully pushed through a constitutional amendment that would end Sulyok's tenure, alongside the head of the Constitutional Court, Péter Polt.
Constitutional Amendment Sparks Debate
The amendment, known as the 17th amendment to the constitution, was passed amid significant political tensions. It has been deemed the most dramatic parliamentary event since the Tisza party's landslide victory over Orbán’s Fidesz party. President Sulyok now faces a decision: either sign the amendment into law or refer it to the Constitutional Court. Prime Minister Magyar has warned that if Sulyok chooses the latter, impeachment proceedings will ensue, leading to his automatic suspension. Alternatively, Sulyok could resign, a move the new government has been advocating to prevent a constitutional crisis.
Opposition and Criticism
Members of the opposition Fidesz party walked out in protest before the vote. They accused the ruling party of establishing a dictatorship, claiming that the amendment allows the government unchecked power to dismiss public officials. Péter Rona, a former opposition presidential candidate, remarked on the irony of the situation, noting that Fidesz is now experiencing the consequences of its own past policies. The 2011 constitution, crafted by Orbán’s administration, was designed to consolidate power under the ruling party’s control, a strategy that is now being used against them.
Reaction and Implications
The parliamentary voting session ended with a standing ovation from the 141 Tisza deputies following the announcement of the results. The amendment also stipulates the removal of Constitutional Court judges over 70 and prevents parliamentary deputies with three terms from seeking re-election. This latter provision affects more than half of the current Fidesz deputies. András Baka, former head of the Supreme Court, expressed support for the president's removal, noting that Hungary was governed by the rule of law until 2010, after which Fidesz's dominance led to an authoritarian state structure.
Baka argued that dismantling such a sophisticated authoritarian regime is challenging, especially one intended to persist beyond electoral defeats. However, he criticized the amendment’s restriction on term limits for deputies, arguing it infringes on the public's right to choose their representatives.
Current State of Fidesz
Since the April elections, Fidesz has experienced significant internal strife. Viktor Orbán has been notably absent from the public eye, opting not to assume his parliamentary seat. On the day of the parliamentary vote, Orbán was not in Hungary, having traveled to the United States to watch the World Cup finals. Discontent within the party is growing, with many members frustrated by his lack of presence. Adding to the party's challenges, Gergely Gulyás, the party's second-in-command, resigned from his role as head of the parliamentary group.
Overall, the political climate in Hungary remains tense as the new government seeks to implement its changes while navigating the opposition's resistance and internal challenges within Fidesz.
Source: Original Article
