Hungary President Steps Down After Signing Constitutional Reform

Hungary President Steps Down After Signing Constitutional Reform

Hungary’s President, Tamás Sulyok, has agreed to leave office after approving a constitutional amendment that brings his presidency to an end, drawing the curtain on weeks of political tension in the country.

The amendment, passed by Hungary’s parliament earlier this week, was backed by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s ruling Tisza party, which has pushed for Sulyok’s removal since winning a decisive victory in the April general election.

Under Hungary’s constitutional process, the President had five days to either sign or reject the legislation.

Refusing to approve it could have triggered impeachment proceedings and deepened the political crisis.

On Saturday, Sulyok signed the amendment, clearing the way for it to take effect at midnight on Sunday.

While accepting the outcome, he strongly criticised the government’s approach, accusing it of weakening the country’s democratic institutions.

In a statement, the outgoing President described the amendment as a turning point for Hungary’s constitutional system, arguing that the principles of a free and democratic society had been sacrificed for political advantage.

The constitutional reform ends the President’s tenure on the basis of what lawmakers described as a “serious loss of confidence.”

It also introduces sweeping political changes, including the removal of the head of the Constitutional Court and a new rule preventing lawmakers who have served three parliamentary terms from seeking re-election.

The term-limit provision is expected to affect a significant number of legislators from former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, which governed Hungary for 16 years before losing power in April.

Since taking office, the Tisza-led administration has embarked on an ambitious programme of institutional reforms, saying the measures are intended to overhaul systems established during the previous government.

Orbán has denounced the amendment, describing it as an abuse of power and urging his supporters to protest against the changes.

The former prime minister has kept a relatively low public profile since his party’s electoral defeat and has yet to take up his parliamentary seat.

The constitutional amendment was approved by an overwhelming majority in parliament, with lawmakers from the governing Tisza party applauding after the final vote confirmed its passage.