Constitutional Amendment Signed, Ending President’s Term

Hungary’s President Tamás Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment into law, bringing an end to his term in office. The move was made in response to a dispute between Sulyok and the country’s new government, which had been seeking to oust him as part of a purge of officials appointed during the reign of Viktor Orbán.

The constitutional amendment, which was passed by lawmakers with the pro-European, center-right Tisza party, called for an immediate end to Sulyok’s term. Sulyok had five days to sign the amendment into law, which he did on the final day before the deadline.

In a video posted to Facebook, Sulyok expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating that being made to sign the amendment was ‘lasting proof that the fundamental values of a free society, the rule of law, democracy, the principle of power-sharing, have been trampled on in the interest of power.’

New Government’s Reforms

Since taking office in May, Hungary’s new Prime Minister Péter Magyar has been working to dismantle what he calls Orbán’s ‘mafia’ by removing numerous political appointees and heads of institutions viewed as having facilitated Orbán’s autocratic government. The new government has also suspended the news service of Hungary’s public television and radio, which Magyar has argued served as a ‘propaganda factory’ for Orbán’s party.

The amendment which removed Sulyok also made some judicial reforms, set up an office aimed at investigating financial abuses under the Orbán government, and imposed a 12-year term limit on lawmakers. Magyar has stated that by passing the amendment, ‘we have fulfilled several of our important commitments and returned what the Orbán regime tried to take away from the Hungarian people for many years.’

Orbán, who was defeated in the election by Magyar, responded to Sulyok’s signing of the amendment by writing on Facebook that ‘tyranny is no longer a threat, but a reality.’ He added that ‘if this could be done to the president of the republic, then tomorrow no one will be safe.’

In a video statement on Facebook, Magyar stated that he would convene his party on Monday to discuss its nomination for a next president. Sulyok’s term will officially end at midnight on Monday, when speaker of Parliament, Ágnes Forsthoffer, will automatically assume his duties until lawmakers elect a new president, a task which has a 30-day deadline.

The new government’s reforms have been met with both support and criticism from various groups. While some have praised the move as a necessary step towards democratization, others have expressed concerns that the new government’s actions may be seen as a power grab. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the future of Hungary’s government and its people hangs in the balance.

With the constitutional amendment signed, the stage is set for a new era in Hungarian politics. As the country looks to the future, one can only wonder what changes lie ahead. Will the new government’s reforms bring about the necessary changes to ensure a more democratic and free society, or will they be met with resistance from those who seek to maintain the status quo?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the people of Hungary will be watching closely as the situation continues to unfold.