Hungary's Prime Minister Peter Magyar on Monday, 1 June publicly called out the failures of President Tamas Sulyok and proposed amending the country's constitution to enable his removal from office, potentially opening the door to direct presidential elections. Magyar made the remarks at a press conference held outside Sandor Palace in Budapest, following a face-to-face meeting with Sulyok.

What Magyar Said

Addressing reporters, Magyar drew a direct line between former Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the incumbent president. 'Just as Viktor Orban has abandoned the Hungarian people, so Tamas Sulyok, whom he appointed, has abandoned the Hungarian republic,' he said, according to reports.

Magyar further argued that the office of the presidency carries an authority that transcends any individual holder. 'The office of the president of the republic is more important and more powerful than any individual head of state. It is in Hungary's interest that the presidency should regain the authority that has been battered in recent years by its silences, its untenable decisions and its omissions,' he added.

The Constitutional Amendment Proposal

Magyar confirmed he has formally informed President Sulyok that if he does not resign voluntarily, he will direct Tisza Party Members of Parliament to begin the necessary legislative procedures immediately. While Magyar did not specify the exact nature of the proposed amendment, he stressed it would not be a law tailored to target a single individual. Rather, it would establish a broader framework enabling the removal of any head of state — a distinction he appeared to make deliberately to pre-empt criticism of political overreach.

Magyar also indicated he wants Hungarian citizens to have a greater say in selecting the president, suggesting a shift toward direct elections as a possible constitutional outcome.

The Specific Grievances Against Sulyok

Magyar cited a pointed example of what he described as Sulyok's dereliction of duty. He noted that Sulyok issued no public statement when former PM Orban made remarks about 'bugs, a big clean-up and a shadow army' — language that Magyar said warranted a presidential response. When Magyar raised this directly with Sulyok, the president reportedly told him that Orban's remarks were merely a 'political opinion' and required no comment from him.

Magyar invoked the Fundamental Law to press his case: 'The Fundamental Law is crystal clear: the president of the republic embodies the unity of the nation and safeguards the democratic functioning of the state,' he said, before detailing how Sulyok had, in his view, fallen short of that constitutional obligation.

Background: Magyar's Rise to Power

Magyar was sworn in as Hungary's Prime Minister in May 2025 after winning a parliamentary vote at the inaugural session of the new National Assembly. Of 199 total MPs, 195 cast votes — 140 in favour, 54 against, and 1 abstention. In his inaugural address, Magyar vowed to 'change the system', not merely the government, pledging reconciliation, democratic renewal, and national unity. His confrontation with Sulyok marks one of the first major institutional tests of his administration.

What Comes Next

The Tisza Party's parliamentary group is expected to begin formal procedures if Sulyok does not step down. Any constitutional amendment in Hungary requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority — a threshold Magyar will need to demonstrate he can reach. The outcome could reshape the balance of power between Hungary's executive and ceremonial arms of government, and set a precedent for how future presidents are elected and held accountable.