Key facts
- Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok approved a constitutional amendment.
- The amendment limits prime ministers to an eight-year term.
- This effectively bars former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from returning to office.
- Orbán served 20 years as prime minister.
- President Sulyok was appointed by Viktor Orbán.
- Hungary's top court has shelved President Sulyok's petition to prevent his ouster.
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has approved a constitutional amendment that limits prime ministers to eight years in office, effectively barring former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from returning to power. Sulyok, who was appointed by Orbán, signed the amendment despite stating it would "limit" the will of the people. The amendment follows a campaign promise by the Magyar government to introduce term limits, which would also apply to Prime Minister Péter Magyar. The Hungarian parliament had previously approved the amendment overwhelmingly. Sulyok's decision comes amid efforts by Magyar to remove him from office, with Magyar accusing Sulyok of being a "puppet" of the previous regime. Hungary's top court has shelved President Tamas Sulyok's petition to prevent his ouster, potentially advancing Prime Minister Péter Magyar's efforts to remove the head of state.