Hungary's parliament set to vote on constitutional amendment to remove president

Hungary's parliament is expected to vote on a constitutional amendment on July 13 that would remove President Tamas Sulyok from office, marking the latest step by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government to reverse changes introduced during former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 16 years in power.

The amendment is backed by Magyar's governing Tisza party, which holds a parliamentary supermajority following its landslide election victory in April. The government says it is seeking to dismantle institutions established under Orban and restore democratic governance, Reuters reports.

Although Hungary's president has limited executive powers, the office carries significant symbolic importance and can delay legislation by vetoing bills or referring them for constitutional review.

Magyar has described Sulyok as a close ally of the former prime minister.

On Facebook, the prime minister said parliament would approve the amendment on Monday and warned that if Sulyok refused to sign the legislation within five days, impeachment proceedings would begin.

Sulyok, who served as a judge on Hungary's Constitutional Court for a decade before being elected president by parliament in 2024, has rejected accusations of political bias, saying he has no political agenda.

He has objected to the proposed amendment and requested an opinion from the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's constitutional advisory body, on whether the changes comply with democratic standards. The commission has not commented publicly.

The proposed amendment would immediately terminate Sulyok's presidency, citing society's "serious loss of confidence" in him. Under the bill, parliament would elect a new president to serve until a new constitution enters into force or for a maximum term of five years.

The legislation also includes a provision limiting lawmakers' terms to 12 years and states that its purpose is to ensure "the preconditions for the restoration of constitutional democracy."

Magyar is expected to address parliament before the vote. Meanwhile, supporters of Orban's Fidesz party held a demonstration in support of Sulyok last week, although the former prime minister did not attend.

By Sabina Mammadli