Hungary PM moves to oust president amid constitutional row

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said on Monday that his government would begin legal proceedings to remove President Tamás Sulyok if he continues to reject calls to resign.

Magyar's centre-right Tisza Party defeated former prime minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party in April's election, pledging to replace several officials appointed during Orbán's 16 years in power, including the country's largely ceremonial head of state.

The prime minister has repeatedly urged Sulyok to step down, accusing him of failing to act as a unifying national figure and of serving the interests of the previous administration. Sulyok has consistently rejected those demands.

Following a meeting with the president, Magyar said that if Sulyok remained in office, Tisza lawmakers would immediately begin the legislative process required for his removal.

Constitutional changes proposed

Magyar said the process could take around a month and would form part of a broader effort to remove officials whom he accused of helping to undermine democratic institutions and the rule of law during Orbán's tenure.

He added that the government intended to use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to amend the constitution and force Sulyok from office, although he did not provide further details of the planned changes.

President warns of constitutional crisis

Sulyok, a former lawyer who became president in 2024 after being elected by a Fidesz-dominated parliament, reiterated on Monday that he would not resign.

In a post on social media, he warned that any attempt to remove him through the proposed legal measures could trigger a constitutional crisis, deepen divisions within Hungarian society and damage the country's democratic reputation abroad.

Opposition condemns move

Fidesz condemned Magyar's actions, describing his demand for resignation as an unlawful ultimatum. The party argued that Sulyok is serving a legitimate mandate that runs until 2029 and cannot be removed from office.

Before becoming president, Sulyok served as head of Hungary's Constitutional Court after being appointed to the position by Fidesz in 2016.

Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, the officeholder has the authority to return legislation to parliament for reconsideration or refer laws to the Constitutional Court, powers that could potentially delay or obstruct elements of Magyar's reform programme.

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