politics
Hungarian Parliament Passes Constitutional Reform Removing President
Lawmakers approved changes that end the current president's term and bar many opposition legislators from the 2030 election. The measure passed in a session largely avoided by the main opposition party.
Jul 14, 6:58 AM·1m read2 sources
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Hungarian lawmakers passed a constitutional reform on Monday that ends President Tamas Sulyok's term and bars two-thirds of Fidesz party members from running in the 2030 parliamentary elections. The vote took place in a chamber largely empty of opposition members. The reform was initiated by the party of Prime Minister Péter Magyar.
Background to the vote Prime Minister Péter Magyar described the outgoing president as a "puppet" of the previous government and said he had remained silent during earlier authoritarian measures. Sulyok, appointed in 2024, now has five days to sign the amendments that would remove him from office.
Sulyok responded on Facebook that the reform creates "a unique situation in Europe" and violates democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional principles.
Limited presidential powers The Hungarian president holds limited powers compared with the prime minister. Sulyok could still refer the amendments to the Constitutional Council, though a prior reform restricts that body to formal review only. Fidesz members left the chamber before the vote, calling the day "a dark day for Hungarian democracy."
