Hungary: president ousted by amendment?
The Hungarian parliament on Monday passed several constitutional amendments that among other things pave the way for the removal of the president on the grounds of a 'serious loss of confidence' – a provision which the government camp intends to use to oust incumbent Tamás Sulyok, who has close ties to former ruling party Fidesz. If he refuses to endorse the resolution, impeachment proceedings will be initiated, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said. The press reacts with scepticism.
Controversial choice of method
For Der Standard, the latest amendments represent
“the most far-reaching and controversial crackdown on Orbán's legacy to date. ... President Tamás Sulyok had indeed turned out to be Orbán's henchman but was lawfully elected to Parliament in 2024 for a five-year term. That his term of office is now being ended by a constitutional side note provides ammunition for the Fidesz opposition, which had spoken of the 'most shameful parliamentary decision' in decades. Equally controversial is the removal of Péter Polt, the head of the Constitutional Court, by means of a reduction in the age limit. Orbán, too, was not squeamish in his choice of methods, but a competition in the discipline of 'digging deep into the bag of tricks' won't be in the Hungarians' interests.”
The question now is who will take his place
What really counts is what comes after Sulyok's dismissal, Népszava puts in:
“The opposition will use this as a basis for attack one way or another for a long time to come. Influential circles in Europe may frown for a while, but the frowning brows will gradually become smoother. Péter Magyar's toughest test is yet to come. For his political future may well hinge on whom he nominates as head of state. ... A good choice is likely to send his already record-breaking popularity soaring (and with it, confidence in Tisza's commitment to a change of system), while a poor one could set it back considerably and give the impression: 'They're no better either.'”
Black Monday
From now on, Péter Magyar will do as he pleases, the Fidesz-affiliated daily Magyar Nemzet fears:
“It is flawed logic to suggest that voters gave Péter Magyar a mandate to dismantle the existing system, which can only be achieved by removing Fidesz puppets from the top positions within democratic institutions. This approach does nothing to improve the already compromised functioning of the rule of law; instead, those who have been removed will now be replaced by Tisza's puppets. ... As of today no one is safe; the mad tyrant will do as he pleases, unrestricted by anyone or anything.”