Hungary’s Parliament Fires the President – A Sudden Power Shakeup

Sun Sep 06 2026 09:43:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hungary sacks President Tamás Sulyok, sparking a power struggle that clashes with former leader Viktor Orbán.

Hungary’s ruling Tisza party used its two‑thirds majority to pass the 17th constitutional amendment, officially ending President Tamás Sulyok’s term. Sulyok has five days to sign the amendment or face impeachment, while the package also strips Constitutional Court judges over 70 and bars MPs who served three terms from future runs. Opposition members stormed out of the chamber, accusing the new regime of tyranny, and the move hints at a further consolidation of power. Former PM Viktor Orbán has largely stayed out of the spotlight, adding to the country's political uncertainty.

The Hungarian Parliament has voted to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office, an unprecedented move that could reset the country's political balance.

The Tisza Party, which just won a landslide victory over former chief Viktor Orbán in April, used its two‑thirds majority to pass the 17th amendment.

Sulyok now has only five days to sign the amendment – effectively a death warrant – or send it to the Constitutional Court, where Prime Minister Péter Magyar threatens to start impeachment proceedings.

The package also strips away Constitutional Court judges over 70 and bars MPs who served three terms from running again, a change that will uproot many long‑time politicians.

Opposition Fidesz members left the chamber, accusing the ruling party of tyranny, as the regime’s shift raises fears of a consolidated authoritarian state.