Magyar furious: Orban’s puppet does not want to resign

In a video message posted on Facebook, Sulyok said that the dignity of the office of president requires him to remain steadfast. He pointed out that the oath binds him to serve the entire Hungarian people, regardless of political differences, and that he will continue to perform his duties in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

He repeated his position at the meeting with Magyar, after which the prime minister said that the rejection of the resignation will not stop his dismissal. Magyar believes that Sulyok damaged the reputation of the presidential office with his silence and omissions in previous years, and that the institution of the president must restore its authority.

The Prime Minister announced that the representatives of his Tisza party will initiate amendments to the Constitution in the next month, but without presenting specific details. He repeatedly emphasized that, if Sulyok does not resign himself, he will be removed from office. The deadline for the resignation of the president and other officials appointed during the previous government expired on May 31.

According to Magyar, the removal is necessary because the president does not represent the unity of the nation and was too attached to Orbán’s rule. He also wants to prevent the possible use of the presidential veto on laws that the new government considers crucial for the unblocking of European Union funds intended for Hungary.

However, Sulyok’s mandate lasts until March 2029, and according to the Hungarian Constitution, the president can be removed before the end of his term only if he violates the Constitution, the law or commits a criminal offense. The impeachment procedure can be initiated by a fifth of the representatives, while its initiation requires a two-thirds majority. The final decision is made by the Constitutional Court.

Magyar requested the resignation of the president of the Constitutional Court and other constitutional judges, but the parliament cannot directly dismiss them. One of the possibilities discussed is the expansion of the number of judges in the Constitutional Court, which would allow the new government to gradually take control of that institution.

Since the introduction of the multi-party system in Hungary, no president has been dismissed. However, two presidents resigned before the end of their term: Pál Schmitt in 2012 due to a plagiarism scandal and Katalin Novák in 2024 following the controversy surrounding the pardon of a person linked to sexual abuse. In both cases, the parliament only confirmed their resignations.

(vijesti.ba)