Hungary PM Magyar to amend constitution to remove president

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Reuters/AP) — Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced Monday that his government will pursue a constitutional amendment to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office, an ally of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar stated the process is expected to take about a month and is part of a broader effort to eliminate officials appointed under Orbán's previous administration and to combat corruption.

Magyar, whose Tizsa party secured an overwhelming election victory in April, had previously set a May 31 deadline for Sulyok to resign. However, Sulyok refused, asserting that "the dignity of the presidential mandate demands of me steadfastness." Sulyok's presidential term is set to run through March 2029.

In addition to the president's removal, Magyar indicated that his government would launch significant economic, political, and legal reforms in the fall. These measures include the establishment of a National Asset Protection and Recovery Office aimed at eradicating corruption. Magyar has been critical of the political system established by Orbán during his 16 years in power, stating that Hungary does not belong to any single party or political figure.

Magyar also recently met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He suggested that Hungary had convinced Brussels to release billions of euros in EU funds contingent on reforms to Hungary's judiciary, anti-corruption safeguards, and public procurement processes. However, Commission officials offered a more cautious outlook, characterizing the agreement as a broad political direction rather than a definitive decision on fund release.