Magyar gives Hungary’s president ultimatum: resign by May 31

The leader of the Tisza Party, Péter Magyar, who is set to become Hungary’s next prime minister, has called on the heads of nearly all state institutions appointed under the previous government to voluntarily resign by May 31.

As reported by Caliber.Az citing foreign media, speaking at a press conference in Budapest, he said he considers these officials to be appointees of the outgoing prime minister Viktor Orbán, and therefore lacking the moral legitimacy to remain in office.

Magyar stated that they have until May 31 to submit their resignations. “After that, we will act using the powers and legal instruments at our disposal to remove them from office,” the Tisza leader said. Following the April 12 elections, the party secured a constitutional majority in Hungary’s parliament (141 out of 199 seats), enabling it to amend the country’s fundamental law if necessary.

On the evening of April 12, immediately after the election victory, Magyar called for the resignation of Hungary’s President Tamás Sulyok, as well as the heads of the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, the prosecutor general, the head of the Media and Telecommunications Authority, and the State Audit Office, among other officials.

Magyar is expected to be elected prime minister in early May at the first session of the newly formed parliament. The exact date will be set by the president of Hungary — whom the Tisza leader is seeking to remove. Orbán, who has served as prime minister for the past 16 years, will move into the opposition.

By Vugar Khalilov