Sulyok to step down

Tamás Sulyok, the President of Hungary, has agreed to step down after signing a constitutional amendment that ends his term in office, according to The Guardian. This move comes after the ruling Tisza party, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, passed the amendment through parliament, citing a "serious loss of confidence" in Sulyok as a leader.

Sulyok's decision to sign the amendment was made after he had five days to consider it, and he accused Magyar's government of violating the rule of law, as reported by BBC. The amendment will end Sulyok's term immediately, and he will be replaced by Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer until a new president is elected.

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The Tisza party's move to oust Sulyok is part of a broader effort to dismantle the legacy of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who lost power in April after 16 years in office. Orbán has criticized the reforms, describing them as an act of tyranny, and has called for protests, according to The Guardian.

The amendment also introduces several significant institutional changes, including a 12-year term limit on lawmakers and a retirement age of 70 for constitutional court judges. This will force the current president of the constitutional court, Péter Polt, to retire, as reported by AP News.

Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns about the rushed constitutional changes, which they say undermine the rule of law and respect for human rights in Hungary, according to HRW. The organization has called on the government to ensure that any changes are made in a transparent and consultative manner, with respect for due process and the rights of all citizens.

According to Daily News Hungary, Sulyok was elected president in March 2024 after the resignation of Katalin Novák and was originally expected to remain in office until March 2029. However, the constitutional amendment abolishes his current mandate. Once the signed legislation is published in the Hungarian Gazette, his presidency will officially end the following day.

Until a successor takes office, Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer will temporarily assume the powers and responsibilities of the head of state, while one of the deputy speakers will carry out her parliamentary duties. Under Hungary’s constitution, Parliament must elect a new president by secret ballot within 30 days.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar has previously said his government intends to nominate a figure capable of representing national unity and attracting support beyond the governing majority. No candidate has yet been announced. Magyar has also indicated that the current constitutional amendment is intended as a temporary solution, with the government planning to introduce an entirely new constitution—expected to be confirmed by referendum—which could eventually introduce the direct election of Hungary’s president.

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán responded to Sulyok's signing of the amendment by writing that “tyranny is no longer a threat, but a reality.” “If this could be done to the President of the Republic, then no one will be safe tomorrow. May God watch over Hungary!” Orbán wrote on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Péter Magyar said that by passing the amendment, “we have fulfilled several of our important commitments and returned what the Orbán regime tried to take away from the Hungarian people for many years.” He added he would convene his party on Monday to discuss its nomination for a next president.