Hungary’s President Signs Law Enabling His Removal

Hungary’s President Tamás Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment on Saturday paving the way for his own dismissal. Prime Minister Péter Magyar spearheaded the amendment as part of a broader plan to dismantle the power structures established by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an effort he calls “Operation Clean Sweep.” Sulyok initially resisted but signed the measure before a legal deadline, and will leave office at midnight Monday, with the Speaker of Parliament, Ágnes Forsthoffer, serving as interim president.

Magyar argues Sulyok was a “puppet” of Orbán and failed to fulfill his duties. While acknowledging the amendment represents “a grave and shameful example of abuse of political power,” Sulyok stated he was fulfilling his constitutional obligation. Human rights organizations have criticized Magyar’s swift methods, drawing parallels to the practices of Orbán’s previous government.

Parliament, now controlled by Magyar’s Tisza party, has 30 days to elect a new president. Magyar also intends to draft a new constitution with direct presidential elections, and is pursuing further amendments to the current one.