Hungary Parliament Ousts President Sulyok in 17th Amendment, Removing Court Chief Polt
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 13
Hungary Parliament Ousts President Sulyok in 17th Amendment, Removing Court Chief Polt
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 13
Summary
Hungary's parliament voted to end President Tamás Sulyok's term and remove Constitutional Court head Péter Polt, handing Prime Minister Péter Magyar his sharpest institutional break yet with Viktor Orbán's era.
The 17th constitutional amendment passed with Tisza's two-thirds majority and also forces out Constitutional Court judges over 70 while barring deputies who have served three parliamentary terms from running again.
Sulyok now has five days to sign the amendment or send it to the Constitutional Court; Magyar said a referral would trigger impeachment proceedings that would automatically suspend him.
Fidesz lawmakers walked out before the vote, calling the measure tyrannical and warning it gives the government arbitrary power to dismiss officials, even as Orbán's party reels from its April defeat.
The package is meant to govern Hungary until a new constitution is drafted in two or three years, underscoring how hard Magyar says it is to dismantle institutions Fidesz built during 16 years in power.
Can Hungary's new leader dismantle Orbán's 'deep state' without simply creating his own?
With billions in EU funds at stake, is Hungary facing a democratic renewal or an inevitable constitutional crisis?
Hungary’s 2026 Regime Overhaul: President Sulyok’s Removal, Constitutional Upheaval, and the Battle for Democratic Renewal
Overview
On July 13, 2026, Hungary experienced a major political shift when President Tamás Sulyok was removed from office. This decisive move came after the Tisza party’s landslide victory, with the new government framing the removal as essential to dismantle Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The action was part of a broader push for systemic change, immediately sparking national debate. Tensions rose around a new constitutional amendment, with Prime Minister Péter Magyar accusing the Fidesz party of trying to block reforms. The swift overhaul highlighted deep divisions and set the stage for significant changes in Hungary’s political landscape.