Hungarian President signs law ending his term amid political shake-up

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment that immediately ends his term as head of state. The move, announced Saturday, comes as part of Prime Minister Péter Magyar's efforts to dismantle the influence of his predecessor, Viktor Orbán. Magyar claims strong voter backing for these changes following his significant election victory over the right-wing leader in April.

The amendment terminates Sulyok's mandate, citing a "serious loss of trust" in a leader chosen by Orbán's Fidesz party earlier in 2024. Sulyok stated he was compelled to sign the constitutional changes as they were legally sound. However, former constitutional judge and current president Sulyok himself warned that the reform harms Hungary's rule of law.

"The 17th amendment to the Constitution represents a turning point in Hungary's constitutional democracy," Sulyok declared. "Removing a public official in a manner that openly violates the rule of law... constitutes a negative precedent that inflicts a deep wound on the constitutional values of democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law."

The amendment, passed by Magyar's Tisza party which holds a two-thirds majority, will allow for the election of a new president. It also caps parliamentary terms at 12 years and sets a retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, forcing out Orbán ally and current court president Péter Polt. Magyar has consistently called for Sulyok's resignation since ousting Orbán in April, accusing him of not representing national unity and serving Orbán's interests.

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The 17th amendment to the Constitution represents a turning point in Hungary's constitutional democracy. Removing a public official in a manner that openly violates the rule of law... constitutes a negative precedent that inflicts a deep wound on the constitutional values of democracy, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.