Hungary’s president agrees to stand down after parliament backs removal

Hungary's President Steps Down Amid Constitutional Overhaul

Hungary s president agrees to stand - Hungary’s president, Tamás Sulyok, has agreed to resign, signing a constitutional amendment that will end his tenure by midnight on Sunday. The decision follows a parliamentary majority secured by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which swiftly pushed the law through to remove Sulyok from power.

Sulyok, often viewed as a staunch supporter of the previous administration under Viktor Orbán, faced pressure to step down after the April election. The Tisza party, which gained a decisive victory, has since implemented sweeping changes to the country’s legal framework. Sulyok had five days to approve the amendment or risk a constitutional crisis, which could have led to impeachment.

A New Chapter in Governance

The amendment not only removes Sulyok but also targets the head of the Constitutional Court, Péter Polt. It further eliminates judges over the age of 70 and restricts deputies with three terms in parliament from seeking re-election—a provision affecting more than half of the current Fidesz lawmakers.

"This is an act of tyranny," Orbán stated, criticizing the amendment as a move to dismantle the political structure he once dominated. His party, Fidesz, has seen a sharp decline in support since the election, with Orbán himself largely absent from public appearances and refusing to take his parliamentary seat.

Magyar’s government framed Sulyok as a remnant of the old regime, aiming to consolidate control. The president’s resignation marks a pivotal moment in Hungary’s political transformation, signaling the Tisza party’s resolve to reshape the nation’s governance. The amendment underscores the party’s authority, bypassing traditional checks and balances to enact sweeping reforms.