Parliament to vote on 17th constitutional amendment Monday – Must Tamás Sulyok go?

Hungary's parliament is scheduled to vote on Monday on the 17th amendment to the constitution, a move that could potentially lead to the removal of President Tamás Sulyok. The proposed amendment includes a provision that would terminate the mandate of the current head of state once it takes effect.

This legislative action follows a period of intense political conflict. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, accompanied by the Justice Minister, visited President Sulyok at the Sándor Palace to discuss the situation. Following the meeting, Orbán announced the intention to amend the constitution to facilitate Sulyok's removal.

President Sulyok has not remained passive in the face of this challenge. He has appealed to the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe on constitutional matters, regarding the conflict with the government. Additionally, he submitted a motion to the Constitutional Court seeking an interpretation of the provisions governing the acceptance and amendment of the constitution. However, the President of the Constitutional Court removed the case from the agenda of the court's June 19 plenary session, citing personal and direct involvement in the matter by seven constitutional judges, rendering the session unable to make a decision.

Magyar Péter, a prominent political figure, announced on June 22 the initiation of proceedings to terminate President Sulyok's mandate as part of what he termed the "Purification Fire operation." He stated that Sulyok's term would end the day after the constitutional amendment becomes law. The proposal for the 17th amendment was submitted to parliament on July 4. A delegation from the Venice Commission visited Budapest on July 2 to mediate the constitutional conflict between Hungarian public institutions, holding discussions with both President Sulyok and Prime Minister Orbán.