Hungarian president signs amendment ending his own term

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has ended his term after signing a constitutional amendment passed by Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s parliament that terminates his presidency and restructures key institutions. This move enables Magyar’s centre-right government to reshape Hungary’s political framework, including imposing term limits on lawmakers and judges, signaling a major shift away from the previous Orbán administration.

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has signed a constitutional amendment that effectively ends his term in office, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. The amendment, passed by parliament under Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party, was aimed at dismantling elements of the previous administration led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in an April election.

The legislation, which passed last Monday, mandates the immediate termination of Sulyok’s presidency, citing a "serious loss of confidence" in a leader chosen by lawmakers aligned with Orbán’s Fidesz party early last year. Following the parliamentary vote, Magyar gave Sulyok a five-day deadline to countersign the amendment or face impeachment proceedings. After initially hesitating, Sulyok complied, allowing the amendment to take effect.

Under the terms of the amendment, the Speaker of Parliament, Ágnes Forsthoffer, will exercise presidential powers provisionally until a new head of state is elected within 30 days. The parliament, where Tisza holds a two-thirds majority, is responsible for selecting the new president, who will serve either until a new constitution is adopted or for a maximum term of five years.

In addition to ending Sulyok’s presidency, the constitutional changes introduce a 12-year term limit on lawmakers and impose a retirement age of 70 for judges of the Constitutional Court, including its current president, Peter Polt, an ally of Orbán. These measures are part of Magyar’s broader effort to restructure Hungary’s constitutional framework following his electoral victory.

Sulyok, a former Constitutional Court judge and supporter of Orbán, expressed strong reservations about the amendment. In a statement, he acknowledged that while he had no legal option but to approve the legislation, it represents a significant departure from constitutional norms. He warned that the move undermines the independence of public office holders and sets a harmful precedent for Hungary’s democratic institutions, damaging the rule of law, separation of powers, and fundamental constitutional values.

Prime Minister Magyar defended the legislation as a restoration of democratic accountability and a repudiation of what he described as the decade-long consolidation of power by the previous government. He said the changes would return to the Hungarian people the certainty of limited government and renewed state service to its citizens.

The amendment reflects heightened political tensions in Hungary as Magyar's administration seeks to roll back policies and structures established under Orbán’s tenure, raising questions about the future direction of the country’s democracy and governance.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.