Key facts
- Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok signed a constitutional amendment ending his term.
- The amendment was passed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's Tisza party.
- The law imposes a mandatory retirement age of 70 for constitutional judges.
- Parliamentary term limits of 12 years and constitutional judges' terms of nine years are introduced.
- Four constitutional judges, including Péter Polt, will depart due to the retirement age rule.
Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment that will end his term as head of state, according to a statement released on Saturday. The amendment, passed by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's ruling Tisza party, was approved by Parliament with 139 votes in favor and six against.
The sweeping changes, described as the 17th amendment to the country's Fundamental Law, will also lead to the early termination of mandates for several Constitutional Court judges. A mandatory retirement age of 70 will be reinstated for these judges, resulting in the departure of four judges, including Péter Polt, two months after the amendment takes effect. The amendment also introduces parliamentary term limits of 12 years and shortens constitutional judges' terms to nine years.
Prime Minister Magyar defended the move, stating that President Sulyok had failed to represent the nation's unity and had consistently served the interests of the previous Orbán government. He argued that the changes fulfill his party's mandate from the April parliamentary election and initiate a broader constitutional renewal process.
President Sulyok had previously expressed serious constitutional concerns and appealed to Hungary's Constitutional Court and the Venice Commission. However, the Venice Commission decided not to accelerate its review, scheduling it for its October session, while Hungary's Constitutional Court did not place Sulyok's request on its agenda.
Human Rights Watch has criticized the rushed nature of the amendments, warning that they risk undermining the rule of law and lack due process safeguards. The organization noted that the government provided only a five-day window for public consultation before the parliamentary vote.