Hungarian President Faces Removal by Parliament
The Hungarian parliament has voted to remove President Tamás Sulyok, a move seen as part of a broader political shift following the electoral victory of Prime Minister Péter Magyar's Tisza party. Sulyok, known for his allegiance to former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, faces removal after the passage of the 17th constitutional amendment.
The amendment, pushed through by the Tisza party's two-thirds majority, effectively ends Sulyok's term along with that of Péter Polt, the head of the Constitutional Court. This development marks one of the most significant parliamentary sessions since the new government took power in May, following a decisive victory over Orbán's Fidesz party in the April elections.
Options for President Sulyok
President Sulyok is now presented with a few options. He has five days to either sign the amendment or refer it to the Constitutional Court. Should he choose the latter, Prime Minister Magyar has indicated that impeachment proceedings will be initiated, which would result in Sulyok's automatic suspension from office. Alternatively, Sulyok could opt to resign, a move that the new administration has been advocating for to prevent a constitutional crisis.
The Fidesz party, now in opposition, walked out of the parliamentary session before the vote, accusing the Tisza party of establishing a tyrannical regime. Fidesz argues that the amendment gives the government unchecked power to remove any public official from office without delay.
The irony of the situation is that Fidesz is now facing the consequences of its own power dynamics, said Péter Rona, a former opposition presidential candidate. The 2011 constitution, crafted by Orbán's administration, was based on the principle of 'winner takes all.'
Constitutional Changes and Political Repercussions
The Tisza party's majority allowed them to reshape the Hungarian political landscape, which was previously modified by Fidesz during their lengthy tenure. The amendment also mandates the removal of Constitutional Court judges over the age of 70 and prohibits deputies who have served three terms from running again, affecting more than half of the current Fidesz deputies.
András Baka, former head of the Supreme Court, expressed support for the president's removal, noting that Hungary was governed by the rule of law until Fidesz's rise in 2010, which led to an authoritarian regime. However, Baka disagrees with the restriction on parliamentary deputies, arguing that it limits the public's right to vote for their preferred candidates.
Fidesz has experienced significant turmoil since their loss in April, with Viktor Orbán largely absent from the public eye and the political scene. The party's internal struggles are exemplified by the resignation of Gergely Gulyás, Fidesz's second-in-command, from his role as head of the parliamentary group.
The 17th amendment serves as a temporary framework until a new constitution is established, projected within the next two to three years. This period of transition highlights the shifting political dynamics in Hungary following the Tisza party's electoral success.
Source: Original Article
