Hungarian Helsinki Committee backs Péter Magyar's campaign against public officials

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has updated its website, "cemented ones," and announced its support for Péter Magyar's campaign, which explicitly aims to remove public officials from power. This move aligns the human rights organization with Magyar's political agenda.

Magyar, a prominent political figure, previously announced his intention to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office through a constitutional amendment. This objective raises questions about the line between legitimate legal correction and political retribution. Sulyok has thus far resisted pressure to resign, stating his commitment to fulfilling his mandate according to existing laws.

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This intention in itself raises the dilemma of where the line is drawn between a rule-of-law correction and a political purge.

Magyar had set a deadline of May 31 for several public officials and dignitaries to step down. When Sulyok did not resign, Magyar escalated his campaign. He announced a visit to the president, accompanied by the justice minister, which generated significant media attention. In response, Sulyok released a video statement asserting he would not voluntarily resign, emphasizing his oath to the Hungarian political nation and his adherence to the constitutional order.

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A president cannot be forcibly removed from office except in a dictatorship.

Fidesz, the ruling party, has publicly supported President Sulyok. Gergely Gulyás, leader of the Fidesz parliamentary group, stated that forcibly removing a president from office is characteristic of a dictatorship. Magyar reacted to Sulyok's video statement with a dismissive personal post, accusing the president of only defending his high salary and not standing up for the vulnerable, the attacked, or the rule of law.

Bóka János, a Fidesz representative and minister for European affairs, drew parallels between Magyar's actions and historical events, suggesting Magyar's approach is more lenient than that of Mátyás Rákosi, a former communist leader. Bóka referenced the forced resignation of President Zoltán Tildy in the Rákosi era, implying a pattern of political pressure and coercion.

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Sulyok Tamás never stood up for the vulnerable, the attacked, or the rule of law. On Children's Day, he only defends his monthly salary of 6.3 million forints. Instead of an apology.