Orbán Allies Protest Government's Plan to Oust President Sulyok

Thousands gathered in Budapest on Thursday to protest the Hungarian government's push to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. The demonstration, called by allies of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, voiced opposition to the new center-right government's plan to amend the constitution and end Sulyok's term. Protesters gathered at the Sándor Palace, the presidential office, to defend the office of the president.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who defeated Orbán in April elections, has vowed to dismantle what he describes as Orbán's "mafia" state by removing political appointees and reforming institutions. The proposed constitutional amendment includes ending Sulyok's term, establishing parliamentary term limits, reforming the judiciary, and creating an authority to investigate alleged financial abuses by Orbán's previous government. The amendment is set for a parliamentary vote next week.

Orbán and his Fidesz party, long accused of undermining democratic institutions, have labeled the move against Sulyok as a precursor to dictatorship and an attack on the rule of law. However, Magyar argues that Sulyok failed to impede Orbán's antidemocratic actions and that his party's significant parliamentary majority grants him a mandate to proceed. While the Hungarian president's role is largely ceremonial, the office holds the power to sign legislation and refer bills to the constitutional court, raising concerns that Sulyok could obstruct the new government's agenda.

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The point is not whether Tamás Sulyok is popular or not, but that this is simply unacceptable in a democracy.