Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said he will seek a constitutional amendment to remove President Tamas Sulyok after Sulyok declined to resign following an ultimatum. [1, 2, 3]
Magyar’s Tisza party won a two-thirds majority in Hungary’s National Assembly in April, granting it the power to change the constitution. [1, 2, 3, 4] Magyar told lawmakers, “If he maintains his stance and does not resign, I will inform the lawmakers of Tisza about our legislative proposals today and we will immediately start the necessary procedures.” [2] He accused Sulyok of serving the interests of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban rather than the nation and declared, “Hungary does not belong to Tamas Sulyok nor to Viktor Orban.” [3]
Opposing Magyar’s move, President Sulyok, installed in February 2024 by Orban’s Fidesz party without a direct election, vowed to keep serving his full term until 2029. [1, 2, 4] Sulyok said the unfolding constitutional crisis would deepen social divisions and harm Hungary’s democratic reputation internationally. [1, 4] Fidesz called Magyar’s ultimatum unlawful and said the presidency is legally protected through 2029. [1, 2, 5, 6]
The Hungarian presidency is largely symbolic but retains powers to return laws to parliament or the Constitutional Court, which opponents say Sulyok could use to block reforms. [1, 2, 3]
Magyar estimated the constitutional amendment and legislative process needed to remove Sulyok would take about a month. [1, 2, 3, 4]
On June 1, demonstrators both supporting and opposing Sulyok gathered outside the presidential palace. [5]
On June 2, Magyar expressed readiness to meet Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy next week if technical talks on Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine conclude this week. [7] Magyar’s government also secured agreement to release €16.4 billion in EU frozen funds previously suspended under Orban’s tenure. [1, 7]
