Hungary's PM Magyar moves to oust President Sulyok via constitutional amendment after resignation ultimatum expires

The ultimatum expires

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar met with President Tamás Sulyok at the Sándor Palace in Budapest on Monday morning, accompanied by Justice Minister Márta Görög, after a deadline for Sulyok's voluntary resignation expired at midnight on May 31. Magyar had repeatedly called on Sulyok, whom he described as "Orbán's puppet" and a "marionette," to step down since his Tisza party's landslide election victory in April. The president refused to resign, with his office stating on Friday that Magyar's calls "adversely affect both the constitutional functioning and the authority of the institution of the President of the Republic."

Hungary does not belong to Tamás Sulyok, nor to Viktor Orbán. It doesn't belong to a single party or political system.

Constitutional path to removal

Magyar announced he would instruct lawmakers from his Tisza party to immediately begin the "necessary procedures" to remove the president, a process he said would take approximately one month. Rather than using existing impeachment rules, Magyar confirmed the government would amend the constitution and introduce new legislation to force Sulyok from office. With a two-thirds majority in parliament — Tisza holds 141 of 199 seats — the party can unilaterally change the constitution. Magyar did not provide specifics on the constitutional changes, nor did he confirm whether a direct presidential election would replace the current parliamentary selection system.

The president of the Republic will not be dismissed with the help of existing rules, but with the help of new laws and a constitutional amendment.

Accusations of silence and partisanship

Magyar presented a list of grievances against Sulyok, accusing him of failing to represent national unity as required by the constitution. He specifically cited Sulyok's silence when former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán made dehumanizing statements about political opponents, when the previous government passed legislation banning the LGBTQ+ Pride event, and during other controversial political events of recent years. Magyar argued that the presidency had lost prestige through "silence and inaction" and that restoring the institution's authority was in Hungary's interest. Sulyok, who previously served as head of Hungary's top court after being elected by Fidesz in 2016, was elected president in early 2024 by Orbán's parliamentary majority for a five-year term ending in 2029.

Broader purge of Orbán appointees

The confrontation over the presidency is part of a wider effort by Magyar's government to remove officials installed during Orbán's 16-year rule. Magyar has also demanded the resignations of the president of the Constitutional Court, the president of the Supreme Court (the Curia), the head of the media supervisory authority, and the prosecutor general. Orbán's Fidesz party accused Magyar of issuing an "unlawful ultimatum," insisting Sulyok was fulfilling his lawful mandate and could not be removed. Sulyok has meanwhile asked the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional law, to evaluate the situation under existing legislation.

A new political era

Magyar's pro-European conservative Tisza party won a decisive victory in the April 12 parliamentary election, ending Orbán's tenure which began in 2010. Magyar took office as prime minister on May 9. The new government has already shifted Hungary's stance on EU support for Ukraine, reversing Orbán's policy of blocking EU aid. Magyar framed the removal of Sulyok as part of a broader paradigm shift demanded by voters, stating that the country aspires to a change in political direction. A small group of 5-10 counter-protesters interrupted his press conference outside the presidential palace with shouts.