Hungary premier ups pressure on president

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar has accused President Tamas Sulyok of misusing public funds and is pushing for his removal through a parliamentary vote and proposed constitutional amendments. This move is part of Magyar’s broader campaign to dismantle former Prime Minister Orban’s influence and restore Hungary’s relations with the EU, though critics warn it may threaten judicial independence and democratic stability.

Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, intensified efforts to remove President Tamas Sulyok, an ally of former premier Viktor Orban, by accusing him of misusing public funds during official visits abroad. Magyar, who took office in May after defeating Orban’s nationalist government, has made overhauling the country’s leadership a central focus of his agenda.

Magyar’s administration has accused Sulyok of improperly spending public money during trips to the United Kingdom and the United States earlier this year. The prime minister aired these allegations through a series of posts on Facebook ahead of a parliamentary vote scheduled to decide on the president’s removal. Attempts to reach the president’s office for comment were unsuccessful.

To facilitate Sulyok’s ouster, Magyar has proposed amendments to Hungary’s constitution. However, these legal maneuvers have drawn criticism from legal experts who caution that altering the nation’s basic law in this context could undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.

Since taking power, Magyar has embarked on an aggressive campaign to dismantle what he describes as Orban’s entrenched “mafia” within the state apparatus, a network he blames for corruption and governance problems during 16 years of nationalist leadership. He has pledged to restore Hungary’s strained relations with the European Union and to resolve outstanding issues that have kept €16 billion ($18.3 billion) in EU funding frozen amid concerns over rule-of-law backsliding during the previous administration.

While Magyar’s supporters view his rapid reforms as a necessary course correction, political analysts and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the pace and scope of changes implemented by the new government, warning that swift transitions may risk legal stability and democratic norms.

The parliamentary vote on Sulyok’s fate is expected to proceed in the coming days, marking a key moment in Magyar’s broader effort to consolidate authority and reset Hungary’s political landscape following years of nationalist governance under Orban.

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.