Hungary's president resigns after law change ends term

Hungary's President Tamás Sulyok resigned on Saturday after signing a constitutional amendment that immediately ended his term, a move he said marked a 'watershed' that threatens the country's democratic foundations. The amendment, pushed through parliament by Prime Minister Péter Magyar's Tisza party, cited a 'serious loss of confidence' in Sulyok, who was elected by lawmakers from Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party in early 2024.

Sulyok's Farewell Warning

Sulyok, a former judge on Hungary's constitutional court and a close ally of Orbán, said he had no choice but to approve the legislation because it respected the country's legal procedures. However, he used his final address to issue a stark warning. 'The seventeenth amendment to the constitution has marked a watershed in Hungary's constitutional democracy,' he stated. 'By removing public office holders in a manner that openly violates the rule of law … it sets a negative precedent that inflicts a deep wound on the constitutional values of democracy, the separation of powers and the rule of law.' His departure comes less than a year after he assumed office, making him one of the shortest-serving presidents in Hungarian history.

Magyar's Sweeping Reforms

The constitutional amendment is a key component of Prime Minister Magyar's agenda to dismantle what he calls the 'Orbán regime's' system of patronage and control. Since taking office after a landslide victory in April, Magyar has moved swiftly to reduce the influence of Orbán loyalists in key institutions. The amendment also imposes a 12-year term limit on lawmakers, a measure intended to prevent the entrenchment of political elites. Additionally, it sets a mandatory retirement age of 70 for constitutional court judges, forcing the resignation of the court's current president, Péter Polt, an Orbán appointee. In a Facebook post, Magyar declared, 'With these decisions, we are restoring something that the Orbán regime spent many years trying to take away from the Hungarian people: the certainty that power can be constrained, that public assets can be recovered and that the state can once again serve its citizens.' Parliament, where Magyar's party holds a two-thirds majority, is expected to elect a new president who will serve until a new constitution takes effect or for a maximum of five years.

Orbán's Response and Fidesz's Struggle

Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who ruled Hungary for 16 years by centralizing power and weakening independent institutions, reacted sharply to the developments. In a post on his official Facebook page, Orbán wrote, 'Tyranny is no longer a threat but reality. If this could be done to the president, tomorrow, no one will be safe.' His comments reflect the deep polarization in Hungarian politics since his party's electoral defeat. Fidesz has experienced a wave of defections and a significant drop in public support. Critics accuse Orbán of having eroded democratic checks and balances during his tenure, a legacy that Magyar's government now seeks to reverse.

Interim Leadership and the Road Ahead

With Sulyok's resignation, Parliament Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer will assume the role of interim president from Monday, as announced by Magyar. The selection of a permanent successor will be closely watched as a signal of the government's priorities. The constitutional amendment also raises questions about the stability of Hungary's political institutions. While Magyar's supporters celebrate the changes as a restoration of democracy, Orbán's allies warn of an overreach by the new majority. The next steps will involve drafting a new constitution, a process that is likely to be contentious.

As Hungary transitions to a new political era, the outcome of these reforms will determine whether the country can rebuild trust in its democratic institutions or whether it will face new divisions. The election of a new president and the drafting of a new constitution will be critical tests for Prime Minister Magyar's vision of a constrained, accountable government.