Hungarian Parliament Passes Amendment to Overhaul Political System

In a significant move, Hungary’s Parliament approved a constitutional amendment to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office. The decision aims to reform the political framework associated with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s regime. Current Prime Minister Péter Magyar, leading the pro-European, center-right Tisza party, used his party’s two-thirds majority in Parliament to advance these changes.

The amendment aims to restore democratic principles and was approved with 139 votes in favor and six against out of the 199-member Parliament. Tisza lawmakers celebrated with a standing ovation after the vote. However, members of Orbán’s Fidesz party opted to boycott the session. Sulyok must decide whether to sign the amendment into law within five days. Tisza has expressed readiness to initiate impeachment if he declines.

Prime Minister Magyar criticized Sulyok for failing to counter antidemocratic measures during Orbán’s tenure, making his removal a key election promise. Magyar described the constitutional change as a mandate from the Hungarian populace, fulfilling campaign pledges with the transformation of the legal system set in motion.

The amendment, once in effect, would lead to the election of a new president by Parliament. It includes judicial reforms, institutes a body to probe financial misconduct under Orbán, and imposes a 12-year term limit on lawmakers. Fidesz has labeled this step an «unprecedented» threat to democracy and organized protests attracting thousands.

The president’s office is crucial for signing laws and has the authority to refer bills to the Constitutional Court. There’s concern that Sulyok, appointed during Orbán’s leadership, might impede the new government’s strategies. The Magyar administration commenced its term by dismantling institutions linked to Orbán’s «mafia», such as the public broadcast service accused of bias and the Sovereignty Protection Office, which was seen as silencing dissenters.

Fidesz leader Gergely Gulyás, opposing the amendment, claimed it damages the judiciary and constitutional order. He announced his resignation, citing that the new term limits would disqualify him in upcoming elections. Additionally, Fidesz supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil against what they termed Magyar’s governmental «tyranny».