Hungarian PM threatens to oust Orbán-era president

Magyar's Tisza party won a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, which gives it the power to amend the constitution, a crucial mechanism the new government will need to unpick Orbán-era reforms. Magyar told reporters the process to remove Sulyok would take around a month.The president again refused to step down on Monday after meeting Magyar, saying "the constitutional crisis situation emerging as a result deepens the social divisions and damages the international judgement of Hungarian democracy".He claimed the stand-off could threaten the unlocking of EU funds bound for Hungary, the bulk of which were held back due to democratic backsliding under Orbán.Last week, the EU said reforms spearheaded by the new government could soon see €16.4bn (£14.2bn) in funding handed to Budapest. While the presidential role is largely ceremonial under Hungary's system of government, it has some practical functions, including confirming public appointments. On Monday, Sulyok announced several military appointments via Facebook. The president can refer laws back to parliament for reconsideration or forward legislation to the constitutional court, which could potentially slow down or block any reform agenda. Sulyok was installed as president in February 2024, following the resignation of Katalin Novák over the government's response to a child sex abuse scandal.