Hungarian PM threatens to oust Orbán-era president

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is threatening to remove President Tamás Sulyok, who has refused to step down. Magyar's Tisza party secured a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, granting them the power to amend the constitution and undo Orbán-era reforms. Sulyok stated that the ongoing stand-off could deepen social divisions and harm Hungary's international standing, potentially jeopardizing the release of €16.4 billion in EU funds. Although the presidential role is largely ceremonial, the president can refer laws back to parliament or to the constitutional court, which could impede the new government's reform agenda. Sulyok was appointed president in February 2024.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar intends to amend the constitution to remove President Tamas Sulyok, whom he called a "puppet" of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Magyar's Tisza party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in April elections, enabling significant political changes. Magyar had set a Sunday deadline for Sulyok to resign, but the president refused. Magyar stated that if Sulyok does not step down, he will initiate legislative procedures to remove him and other officials appointed under Orban's government, a process expected to take about a month. The president's role, though largely ceremonial, includes signing legislation and referring bills to the Constitutional Court, raising concerns about potential obstruction of the new government's agenda.