Hungary’s Magyar to amend the constitution to remove President Tamas Sulyok
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has promised to amend the constitution to remove the president and other officials appointed under populist former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Magyar on Monday…
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has promised to amend the constitution to remove the president and other officials appointed under populist form
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera →Why This Matters
Hungary’s constitutional crisis over President Tamás Sulyok’s removal underscores a deeper struggle for institutional legitimacy in Central Europe, where populist legacies collide with democratic recalibrations. The move signals a potential realignment in Hungary’s power structure, testing the boundaries of constitutional amendments and the balance between political expediency and legal continuity. For observers, it raises questions about whether this represents a genuine democratic reset or a tactical power grab under the guise of reform.
Background Context
Viktor Orbán’s 12-year premiership reshaped Hungary’s judiciary, media, and constitutional framework, embedding loyalists in key positions like the presidency—a role Sulyok assumed in 2024 after Orbán ally Katalin Novák’s resignation over a pardon scandal. The current government, led by Orbán protégé Péter Magyar, inherits these appointments but faces mounting pressure to distance itself from the Orbán era’s institutional footprint. Hungary’s judicial independence has long been a flashpoint, with the EU frequently scrutinizing its adherence to rule-of-law standards.
What Happens Next
The amendment’s passage hinges on the two-thirds parliamentary majority required in Hungary’s supermajority system, where Fidesz retains dominance but faces internal divisions over Orbán’s legacy. If successful, Sulyok’s removal could embolden further purges of Orbán appointees, creating a ripple effect in state institutions. A failed push, however, might expose fractures within the ruling coalition or provoke backlash from Orbán’s loyalists, complicating Magyar’s reformist image.
Bigger Picture
Hungary’s constitutional tinkering reflects a broader regional trend where newly elected leaders—from Poland to Slovakia—are dismantling populist-era structures to reclaim institutional control. Yet the tactic risks normalizing political interference in state bodies, undermining the very checks and balances these governments claim to restore. As Hungary’s case unfolds, it may set a precedent for how successor administrations navigate the legacy of illiberal governance in post-populist transitions.
