Hungarian president blocks government's bid to oust him

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has rejected the 17th amendment to the country's constitution, which was proposed by the government and approved by parliament and would provide for his removal from office.

According to a statement released by his official residence, Sándor Palace, the president believes the measure violates the principles of the rule of law, democracy and the separation of powers, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"A situation in which a sitting president of the republic is removed from office for purely political reasons is unprecedented in Europe. Moreover, this procedure was clearly tailored to a specific individual and included in the final provisions of the constitutional amendment, which constitutes a clear violation of the guarantees ensuring the autonomy of the institution of the presidency," the statement said.

The president did not specify what steps he would take following his decision not to sign the bill.

Under Hungarian law, Sulyok can return the legislation to parliament with comments for reconsideration, although lawmakers may override his veto with a majority vote, which the ruling Tisza party led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar currently holds.

Alternatively, the president can refer the bill to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on its legality.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov