Hungarian parliament votes to remove President Sulyok

Hungarian parliament approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that would allow the removal of President László Sulyok from office. The amendment, passed by a majority of 242 votes to 112, amends the 2011 constitution to give the National Assembly the power to dismiss the president for “serious violations of the constitution or the law.” Sulyok, who was appointed by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in 2012, has served as head of state for over a decade.

The move follows a series of political disputes between the ruling Fidesz party and the opposition, as well as growing criticism of Sulyok’s perceived closeness to Orbán’s administration. While the amendment does not specify a trigger for dismissal, it establishes a formal procedure that could be invoked in future political crises. Analysts note that the change reflects a broader trend of consolidating executive power within Hungary’s political system.

The amendment was signed into law by President Sulyok himself, making him the first officeholder to approve a measure that could potentially end his own tenure. The decision is expected to prompt debate over the balance of powers in Hungary’s semi-presidential system and may influence the country’s political dynamics in the lead-up to the next general election.