Hungarian Parliament Passes Constitutional Amendment Requiring President to End Term

(Central News Agency, Budapest, 13th – comprehensive international report) The Hungarian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment today aimed at removing President Tamas Sulyok. Incumbent Prime Minister Peter Magyar has labeled him a 'puppet' of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

According to Reuters, Magyar's Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza) won a decisive victory in the April general election, ending the 16-year rule of Orban's Fidesz party.

Out of Hungary's 199 parliamentary seats, the amendment passed with 139 votes in favor and only 6 opposed.

Magyar stated in Parliament: 'They (Fidesz) structured the state system so that one person's will could dominate legislation... The Respect and Freedom Party won a decisive two-thirds majority, enabling us to overturn this system.'

The amendment seeks to terminate Sulyok's presidential term, citing a 'severe loss of public trust' in him.

Magyar also warned that if Sulyok does not sign the amendment within five days, Parliament will initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

Sulyok, however, maintains he has no political agenda and has so far refused to step down.

As reported by the Associated Press, although the Hungarian president holds a largely ceremonial role, he is responsible for signing bills into law and has the authority to refer parliamentary legislation to the Constitutional Court for review.

This has raised concerns among supporters of the current government that Sulyok could use these powers to obstruct the government's plans. (Translation: Chen Yanjun) 1150714

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