Hungarian President Ends Term Amid Political Shift

In Hungary, President Tamás Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment to conclude his term. This decision resolves a conflict with the new government, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The government aimed to remove officials appointed under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Magyar, who assumed office in May after winning the election in April, requested Sulyok’s resignation. He argued that Sulyok failed to counteract antidemocratic measures in Orbán’s administration. When Sulyok refused, Magyar’s Tisza party lawmakers passed an amendment to prematurely end Sulyok’s term. Sulyok signed it on the last possible day.

In a Facebook video, Sulyok referred to signing the amendment as “lasting proof” that core values of a free society were compromised for power. Sulyok’s term will end on Monday at midnight. Following this, Ágnes Forsthoffer, the Parliament’s speaker, will take over his responsibilities until a new president is elected, within 30 days.

Since gaining office, Magyar’s government has focused on eliminating what he calls Orbán’s “mafia.” This involves removing political appointees and institution heads who supported Orbán’s autocratic rule. The administration also halted Hungary’s public media services, which were seen as pro-Orbán, and closed the Sovereignty Protection Office, criticized for silencing the media and dissenters.

The amendment also introduced judicial reforms, established an office for investigating financial misconduct during Orbán’s rule, and set a 12-year term limit for lawmakers. Orbán responded on Facebook, describing the situation as a new form of tyranny and expressing concern over safety if this could happen to the president.

Magyar, in his own video, stated that the amendment achieved vital goals and restored rights taken from the Hungarian people by the former regime. He plans to convene his party on Monday to discuss selecting a new presidential nominee.