Hungary’s Power Shift: President Steps Down in a Constitutional Shake‑up

Sun Sep 06 2026 08:54:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The ruling party forces President Sulyok to resign and triggers a major overhaul of Hungary’s judicial system.

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has signed an amendment that ends his term and removes key judicial figures. The move follows a parliamentary vote led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which recently won a landslide victory. The amendment also bars deputies who have served three terms from future office, affecting many Fidesz members. Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called the decision tyrannical and urged protests, signalling a deepening political crisis. The overhaul marks the most bold change by Hungary’s new government since the 16‑year‑old leader’s fall.

Hungary’s Power Shift: President Steps Down in a Constitutional Shake‑up

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has agreed to step down, signing an amendment that will end his presidency at midnight on Sunday.

The ruling Tisza party, led by Prime Minister Péter Magyar, used its parliamentary majority to push through a law that not only ousts Sulyok but also removes the head of the Constitutional Court and any judges over 70.

Sulyok had five days to sign the amendment or risk a prolonged constitutional crisis and impeachment proceedings. He confirmed his acceptance after the deadline, but blamed Magyar’s government for violating the rule of law.

The new rules bar deputies who have served three terms in parliament from standing again, affecting more than half the current Fidesz roster.

Viktor Orbán’s former party now faces an uphill battle; Orbán himself has been largely absent from public life and has refused to take his seat in parliament.

He called the amendment an act of tyranny and called for protests, underscoring the sharp divide within Hungarian politics. The overhaul marks the most dramatic move by Hungary’s new government since the April elections, continuing a wave of sweeping constitutional changes.