13.07.2026 22:50
After completing his contacts in Turkey, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar returned to his country and made his first major political move. With a constitutional amendment passed in parliament, the path was cleared for the removal of President Tamas Sulyok, whom he had targeted with the words "Orban's puppet." The historic regulation is considered one of the most critical steps in the comprehensive reform process that Magyar initiated as soon as he came to power.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar made his first major political move as soon as he returned from his holiday in Turkey. The first task of Magyar, who ended Viktor Orban's 16-year rule, was to pass a constitutional amendment in parliament that would end the term of President Tamas Sulyok, whom he described as "Orban's puppet". The amendment was passed with the constitutional majority of the ruling Tisza Party.
PASSED WITH 139 VOTES
The 17th amendment package to the constitution, debated in the Hungarian National Assembly, was approved with 139 votes in favor and 6 against in the 199-seat parliament. Lawmakers from former Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz and its coalition partner, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), boycotted the vote.
The constitutional amendment stated that President Tamas Sulyok's term would be terminated due to the "serious loss of confidence" the public has in him.
"IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TREASON NOT TO TOUCH THIS CONSTITUTION"
Speaking in parliament, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the regulation is one of the most important steps in the reform process aimed at dismantling the political and institutional structure established during the Orban era.
"Not touching this constitution would have been a betrayal of the Hungarian nation," said Magyar, adding that if Sulyok does not sign the constitutional amendment within five days, parliament will initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
Magyar had previously described Sulyok as a "puppet of Viktor Orban," arguing that the president had lost his constitutional neutrality.
NEW PRESIDENT TO BE ELECTED
After the constitutional amendment comes into effect, parliament is expected to elect a new president within 30 days.
The regulation is not limited to the presidency. The amendment also reintroduces a 70-year age limit for members of the Constitutional Court. The terms of Constitutional Court President and former Chief Prosecutor Peter Polt, considered a close associate of Orban, and three senior court members over the age of 70, will end two months after the amendment takes effect.
Additionally, a maximum 12-year term limit is introduced for lawmakers. Accordingly, individuals who have served as MPs for three terms or a total of 12 years will not be eligible to run again in the next elections.
SULYOK WAS HIS FIRST TARGET AFTER THE ELECTION
The Tisza Party, which won the general elections on April 12 by a large margin, secured a majority in parliament to amend the constitution. Peter Magyar, who officially assumed the post of Prime Minister on May 9, immediately called on President Tamas Sulyok to resign, announcing that they would pursue a constitutional amendment if he did not step down.
After Sulyok refused to leave office, the government submitted a constitutional amendment proposal to parliament on July 5, including the removal of the current president. While the amendment was protested by Fidesz, Sulyok appealed to the Venice Commission and the Constitutional Court to examine its compliance with democratic principles.
The constitutional amendment passed under Magyar's leadership is considered one of the most critical steps in the comprehensive restructuring of the state's top institutions following the 16-year Orban era in Hungary.