Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Monday that the Hungarian government plans to amend the constitution to allow for the removal of the president [1].
The move signals a significant shift in the country's legal framework, as the current Fundamental Law does not provide a direct mechanism for the government to oust the head of state. This constitutional challenge highlights a growing conflict between the executive branch and the presidency.
Speaking during a press conference on June 1, 2026 [1], Magyar stood outside the Sándor Palace in Budapest to address the public. He said the amendment is necessary because of alleged failings by President Tamás Sulyok [2].
Magyar said the government would pursue the constitutional change specifically if the president refuses to resign [2]. The president was originally appointed under the previous administration of Viktor Orbán, adding a layer of political tension to the current dispute.
Under the current system, the president serves as a largely ceremonial figure, but the ability to remove the office holder would grant the prime minister significantly more control over the state's highest symbolic position. The government has not yet detailed the specific legal criteria that would trigger a removal process under the proposed amendment [1].
Magyar said the action is required to ensure the presidency aligns with the needs of the state. The announcement comes at a time of heightened political scrutiny within Budapest as the administration seeks to consolidate its authority over various state institutions [2].
“The Hungarian government plans to amend the Fundamental Law to allow for the removal of the president.”
This proposal represents a fundamental alteration of Hungary's checks and balances. By creating a legal path to remove a president, the government is moving to eliminate the remaining independence of the head of state, potentially concentrating all executive and symbolic power within the office of the Prime Minister.
