Hungary's PM Magyar pushes constitutional overhaul, targets president

Hungary is entering a new political era as Prime Minister Péter Magyar initiates significant constitutional reforms. A key amendment, the seventeenth change to the constitution, stipulates that the mandate of the current president, Tamás Sulyok, will end the day after the amendment takes effect. Sulyok, considered an ally of former long-term Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, faces a critical decision.

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The day after the seventeenth amendment to the Basic Law comes into force, the mandate of the incumbent President of the Republic ends.

Magyar, who holds a two-thirds majority in parliament similar to Orbán's previous position, is using this power to reshape Hungary's legal framework. The extensive changes, detailed across nine articles, include reforms to the electoral law. Notably, Hungarian lawmakers will be limited to three terms, serving a maximum of twelve years in parliament. Additionally, a new "Office for Asset Recovery and Protection" will be established to hold Hungarian oligarchs accountable for allegedly misappropriating state assets during the Orbán administration.

The reforms also target another Orbán associate, Constitutional Court President Péter Polt. A new age limit of 70 for constitutional judges is being introduced, which would force Polt, who turns 71 in September, to step down. Ironically, these constitutional changes are now on the desk of President Sulyok, the very individual whose mandate they aim to terminate. He has five days to sign the amendment; failure to do so could lead to his impeachment.

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Today the President of the Republic is being settled, tomorrow it could be anyone.

In a surprising move, President Sulyok has appealed to the Venice Commission, a Council of Europe advisory body on constitutional matters. The Commission, previously critical of Orbán's government, has been praised by Sulyok as an "international authority." However, the Commission has reportedly declined to expedite its review of Magyar's constitutional amendment, opting for a regular session in October. This leaves Sulyok in a precarious position, needing to act on the amendment before the Commission's assessment.

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international authority in the field of constitutional law