Following a Monday meeting with President Tamas Sulyok, Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced his government would pursue legal action to force the president from office if he refuses to step down voluntarily.
Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party scored a decisive electoral win in April, defeating Prime Minister Viktor Orban and vowing to oust numerous officials that Orban had placed in important government roles during his 16-year tenure.
The new prime minister has demanded Sulyok’s resignation, claiming the president has failed to promote national unity on critical matters and has instead worked to advance Orban’s interests and those of his former administration. Sulyok has declined to step down from his position.
“I have told the President that if he maintains his stance and does not resign, I will inform …the lawmakers of Tisza about our legislative proposals today and we will immediately start the necessary procedures,” Magyar stated.
According to Magyar, the legislative effort would span approximately one month and would focus on “removing all the puppets” who participated in “dismantling the rule of law and democracy.”
Orban’s Fidesz party responded by characterizing Magyar’s demands as an “unlawful ultimatum,” asserting that Sulyok is properly executing his legitimate mandate, which extends through 2029, and cannot be forced from his position.
Before becoming president, Sulyok led Hungary’s highest court, a role he obtained through Fidesz selection in 2016. Lawmakers from Orban’s party chose him for the presidency in early 2024.
While Hungary’s presidential role is primarily symbolic, Sulyok retains authority to send legislation back to parliament for additional review or refer measures to the Constitutional Court, actions that could delay or obstruct Magyar’s planned reforms.
Magyar has indicated he plans to leverage his party’s two-thirds legislative majority to modify constitutional provisions and other laws as necessary to compel Sulyok’s departure from office.
