Hungary's parliament has made history by voting to remove President Tamás Sulyok from office, marking a significant turning point in the country's post-election landscape. The 17th amendment to the constitution, championed by Prime Minister Péter Magyar's Tisza party, effectively brings an end to Sulyok's term and strips power from the head of the Constitutional Court, Péter Polt.
The dramatic vote comes just weeks after a surprise landslide victory for the new government, which ousted Fidesz from power in April. With the amendment now set to take effect, President Sulyok has five days to either sign it into law or refer it to the Constitutional Court, sparking impeachment proceedings that could further destabilise the country.
Fidesz deputies staged a walkout ahead of the vote, condemning the Tisza party for what they called a 'power grab'. Critics argue that the amendment will grant the government unchecked authority to dismiss public officials at whim, eroding democratic safeguards and plunging Hungary into constitutional crisis.
The move is seen by many as part of a broader effort to dismantle the authoritarian statecraft pioneered under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's tenure. Fidesz's catastrophic election defeat has left the party reeling, with some insiders claiming that Orbán's prolonged absence from public life has created a power vacuum.
Proponents of the 17th amendment argue that it is a necessary step towards modernising Hungary's constitution and laying the groundwork for a new charter. However, constitutional experts warn that the move could have far-reaching consequences for democratic accountability, effectively allowing politicians to dictate who can hold public office without regard for voter choice.