Lead

Hungary's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that removes President Tamas Sulyok from office, according to reports. The amendment, known as the 17th constitutional amendment, was passed with 139 lawmakers in favor, six against, and none abstaining, as announced by parliament speaker Agnes Forsthoffer.

President Sulyok subsequently signed the amendment, which envisages his resignation, after it was passed by lawmakers. He criticized the document as unconstitutional and anti-democratic but said he had "exhausted all options" to oppose Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who had been seeking his resignation.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from TASS, the Russian state news agency, provide details on the parliamentary vote, the president's response, and the opposition's reaction. The accounts describe the amendment's approval, the president's signing, and the political tensions surrounding the move.

One report focuses on the vote itself, noting that the opposition factions of Fidesz and the Christian Democratic parties skipped the session in protest. Another report covers the aftermath, including the president's signing and the start of the process to elect a new president. A third report details Prime Minister Magyar's warning that if President Sulyok did not sign the bill within five days, parliament would initiate impeachment proceedings.

The reports also include differing accounts of the president's and prime minister's statements, with Magyar accusing Sulyok of failing to perform his duties and Sulyok rejecting the claims as a "gross violation" of law.

Key Claims

  • The 17th constitutional amendment was approved by Hungary's parliament, with 139 lawmakers supporting it, six voting against, and none abstaining.
  • The amendment terminates President Tamas Sulyok's office term and authorizes parliament to elect a new head of state within 30 days after the amendment comes into force.
  • The bill was supported by all members of the ruling Tisza party led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar, while the opposition Fidesz and Christian Democratic parties skipped the session in protest.
  • President Sulyok signed the constitutional amendment after it was passed by lawmakers, describing it as unconstitutional and anti-democratic but saying he had "exhausted all options" to oppose it.
  • If President Sulyok had not signed the bill within five days, Prime Minister Magyar said the National Assembly would initiate impeachment proceedings.
  • The amendment also provides for limiting parliamentary members' terms to three four-year terms and setting the age limit for Constitutional Court members at 70.

Perspectives

Government

Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his Tisza party supported the amendment, arguing that President Sulyok failed to perform his duties as guarantor of the rule of law and turned a blind eye to office abuses by the previous government. Magyar stated the goal is to "restore confidence in the institution of the president and to ensure compliance with constitutional principles."

Opposition

Fidesz and Christian Democratic factions skipped the parliamentary session in protest, calling the amendment unconstitutional and personified, drafted solely for the new authorities' political interests. Fidesz faction leader Gergely Gulyas resigned, saying democracy in Hungary is no more. Former EU Minister Janos Boka called the situation "illegitimate" and a "farce."

President Sulyok

President Sulyok rejected Prime Minister Magyar's accusations, calling his behavior unbecoming and his actions a "gross violation" of law. He signed the amendment only after saying he had exhausted all options to oppose it.