Summary:
Hungary’s parliament on July 13 approved a constitutional amendment that immediately ends the term of President Tamás Sulyok, an appointee of the previous Orbán government. The move, driven by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, forms part of a wider effort to dismantle institutions associated with 16 years of Viktor Orbán’s rule. The amendment passed with a large majority and also introduces term limits for lawmakers and reforms to the Constitutional Court. It follows the restructuring of Hungary’s public media system earlier this year, which included the temporary suspension of news broadcasts. The changes have drawn sharp criticism from Fidesz, which accuses the government of authoritarian tactics, while Magyar’s administration presents them as necessary to restore democratic institutions. A new president is expected to be elected in the coming weeks.
Detailed Report
1. Political Context Following April 2026 Election
Péter Magyar’s Tisza party won a landslide victory in Hungary’s April 2026 parliamentary elections, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power and securing a two-thirds supermajority. Since taking office, Magyar has pursued an aggressive reform agenda aimed at removing officials and structures associated with the previous government. One of his stated priorities has been the removal of President Tamás Sulyok, whom he has repeatedly described as a loyalist who enabled Orbán’s concentration of power. Sulyok, elected by the Fidesz-dominated parliament in 2024, refused multiple calls to resign.
2. July 13 Parliamentary Vote
On July 13, 2026, the National Assembly passed the 17th Amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law by 139 votes to 6. The amendment explicitly terminates the mandate of the sitting president the day after it enters into force. Parliament will now elect a new head of state for a maximum term of five years or until a new constitution is adopted. The vote formed part of a broader constitutional package that also includes term limits for members of parliament and changes to the Constitutional Court.
3. Reasons Cited for Removing the President
The government argues that Sulyok failed to act as an independent check on executive power during Orbán’s tenure and actively supported policies that weakened democratic institutions. Magyar has framed the removal as essential to restoring public confidence in the presidency and separating the office from the previous administration’s influence. Critics within Fidesz maintain that the move is politically motivated and lacks constitutional legitimacy, noting that existing impeachment procedures were not used.
4. Broader Institutional Reforms
The removal of the president is part of a wider package of changes. Earlier in June, parliament approved a major overhaul of public service media, restructuring state broadcasters and temporarily suspending news programming on the main M1 channel while new structures are established. The 17th Amendment also introduces a 12-year limit on parliamentary mandates, restores a retirement age of 70 for Constitutional Court judges, and creates a new National Asset Recovery and Protection Office tasked with investigating and reclaiming state assets. A full constitutional overhaul is scheduled to begin in the autumn.
5. Domestic and International Reactions
Fidesz has strongly condemned the changes, with senior figures describing them as the end of constitutional democracy and an abuse of the governing majority’s power. Some analysts and civil society groups have raised concerns about the speed of the reforms and the limited time allowed for public consultation. Internationally, Human Rights Watch has criticised the rushed process, while the Venice Commission is examining aspects of the amendments at President Sulyok’s request. The government maintains that decisive action is required to reverse the institutional legacy of the previous era.
6. Outlook and Next Steps
Parliament is expected to elect a new president in the coming weeks, with Magyar indicating a preference for the position to be filled before August 20. The government has signalled that further institutional reforms, including a new constitution, will follow in the autumn. The situation remains politically charged, with Fidesz vowing strong opposition and legal challenges likely to continue.
Conclusion
Hungary’s parliament has taken a decisive step to remove President Tamás Sulyok and advance a wider programme of institutional change. The reforms reflect the new government’s determination to reshape the state after 16 years of Orbán rule, while drawing significant domestic and international scrutiny over both their substance and the speed of their implementation.