The new Prime Minister, Magyar Péter, has made it clear that President Sulyok Tamás no longer has a place in the Sándor Palace. In a recent post, Magyar referred to Sulyok as merely a “temporary resident” of the palace.
The tension further escalated during the morning of ministerial appointments, where Magyar indicated that he considers the President an “unwelcome person” in the photographs documenting the event.
The Legal Path to Removal
Removing the President of the Republic is a complex process. It can be initiated by one-fifth of the members of parliament, followed by a detailed motion that must be approved by a two-thirds majority.
While the Tisza Party holds a comfortable two-thirds majority in the new National Assembly, the process does not end with a parliamentary vote. The motion must then be sent to the Constitutional Court.
According to constitutional lawyer Péter Hack, the Constitutional Court must approve the removal by a two-thirds majority, which requires proving a form of “unworthiness.” However, the process faces a significant hurdle as Fidesz-appointed judges currently hold the majority within the court.
Alternative Legal Scenarios
Political scientist and constitutional lawyer Richard Szentpéteri Nagy suggested other public law possibilities for removing institutional leaders. This could include the leaders of the Constitutional Court, whom Magyar Péter has previously called upon to leave.
One possible route could be an amendment to the Fundamental Law that introduces new grounds for the termination of a mandate with retroactive effect. Alternatively, it could be argued that a public official did not meet the requirements for their election from the outset.
Fidesz has responded to these efforts, characterizing the drive to remove the head of state as an “aggressive,” “personal,” and “unworthy political attack.”
Public Opinion and Potential Successors
A recent poll by Republikon indicates that nearly two-thirds of respondents believe public officials elected by the Fidesz-KDNP two-thirds majority should resign. This includes Sulyok Tamás and the heads of the Kúria, the Competition Authority, and the Constitutional Court.
Support for these resignations is nearly universal among Tisza voters at 98 percent. Conversely, only 8 percent of Fidesz-KDNP voters support the resignations, though nearly one-third of that group does not categorically reject the possibility.
Among voters for Mi Hazánk, opinion is split evenly, with one-third supporting the resignations, one-third opposing them, and one-third “rather” opposing them.
Looking Toward a Successor
In a reader poll regarding a potential successor to Sulyok Tamás, Péter Bárándy emerged as the most popular choice, receiving approximately 55.9 percent of several thousand votes. Gábor Iványi and Péter Hack followed as the second and third most popular candidates.
Péter Bárándy is a lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Justice in the Medgyessy government between 2002, and 2004. A specialist in criminal law, Bárándy has criticized Sulyok and other officials, claiming those in key positions were placed there to guarantee the invulnerability of the previous Prime Minister’s power rather than to fulfill constitutional duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the parliamentary requirement to start the removal of the President?
The process can be initiated by one-fifth of the members of parliament, and then a detailed motion must be passed by a two-thirds majority.
Why is the Constitutional Court a potential obstacle in this process?
The court must approve the removal by a two-thirds majority based on a finding of “unworthiness,” but Fidesz-appointed judges currently hold the majority in the body.
What percentage of the general public supports the resignation of these public officials?
According to a Republikon poll, nearly two-thirds of respondents agree that these officials should resign, while 28 percent disagree.
Do you believe that a parliamentary majority should be sufficient to remove high-ranking public officials, or should the current judicial checks remain?
