The Hungarian Parliament approved a constitutional amendment on Monday to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office [1].
This move signals a deeper purge of the previous administration's influence following the collapse of Viktor Orbán's long-term grip on power. By targeting the presidency, the new government aims to dismantle the legal and symbolic structures of the former regime.
The legislature passed the 17th amendment to the constitution [2] with a vote of 87 percent in favor [3]. While some reports suggested an immediate exit, the removal is scheduled to take effect by July 31, 2026 [3].
Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the amendment is necessary to replace what he described as "Orbán's political puppets" [4]. He said the change is a key step in the government's effort to restructure the state's leadership.
The political shift follows the departure of Viktor Orbán, who lost power in April 2026 after 16 years in office [5]. The current administration is now moving to replace high-level appointees linked to the former prime minister's era.
Sulyok's removal marks one of the most significant constitutional changes since the change in government earlier this year. The process was finalized in Budapest during Monday's parliamentary session [1].
“"This is a key step that will allow 'Orbán's political puppets' to be replaced."”
The removal of President Sulyok via constitutional amendment demonstrates the new government's intent to conduct a comprehensive systemic overhaul rather than a standard political transition. By utilizing a constitutional amendment to remove a head of state, Prime Minister Magyar is establishing a legal precedent for purging appointees from the previous 16-year era, potentially consolidating power to ensure no institutional roadblocks remain from the Orbán administration.
