**Hungary’s Parliament Votes to Oust President in Latest Anti-Orban Move**
On July 13, 2026, Hungary's parliament approved a constitutional amendment aimed at removing President Tamas Sulyok from his largely ceremonial role. This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the influence of figures associated with former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The amendment was passed with a substantial majority, receiving 139 votes in favor and only six against.
The move comes in the wake of a political shift in Hungary, following the election of Prime Minister Peter Magyar and his Tisza Party, which won a decisive victory in April 2026. This election ended 16 years of governance by Orban's Fidesz party, which had established a stronghold over Hungarian politics. Since taking office, Magyar has been actively working to diminish the power of the previous administration and its affiliates.
The constitutional amendment not only terminates Sulyok's presidency but also sets the stage for the parliament to elect a new president. The new reforms introduced in this amendment include judicial changes, the establishment of a body to investigate alleged financial misconduct under the previous government, and the implementation of a 12-year term limit for lawmakers.
Following the parliamentary vote, Sulyok has five days to sign the amendment into law. If he declines to do so, Magyar has indicated that parliament will initiate impeachment proceedings against him. Notably, Sulyok and other members of Fidesz chose to boycott the parliamentary session during which the vote took place.
Sulyok, who was appointed as president in February 2024, previously served as the chief of the Constitutional Court of Hungary. His presidency began under controversial circumstances, as he replaced Katalin Novak, who resigned after granting a pardon to a convicted individual involved in a child sexual abuse cover-up.
In the aftermath of the Tisza Party's electoral victory, Magyar publicly criticized Sulyok, labeling him as "unworthy to embody the unity of the Hungarian nation" and demanding his resignation. As the deadline for Sulyok's resignation passed without action, Magyar intensified his rhetoric, calling the president a "puppet" of Orban and pledging to remove him through constitutional means.
This parliamentary decision is part of a broader reform initiative dubbed "Operation Cleansing Fire," which aims to overhaul Hungary's political landscape. The initiative seeks to establish a new constitution, cleanse state institutions of remnants from the previous administration, and create an anti-corruption office to address past abuses.
While the presidency in Hungary is primarily a symbolic role, it does hold certain powers, including the authority to approve laws and refer them to the Constitutional Court for review. This has raised concerns among Magyar and his supporters that Sulyok might leverage his presidential powers to obstruct the ambitious reform agenda proposed by the Tisza Party.
The political developments in Hungary reflect a significant shift in the country’s governance and the ongoing struggle for power between the new administration and the remnants of Orban's influence. As the situation unfolds, the implications of these changes for Hungary's political landscape and governance remain to be seen.