Hungary Moves To Oust Orbán-Era Officials Through Constitutional Amendment

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Sunday that his government will submit a constitutional amendment Monday aimed at removing several senior officials appointed during predecessor Viktor Orbán’s 16 consecutive years in power, escalating a confrontation with remaining Orbán-era officeholders, including the nation’s president.

The proposal would set the stage for an unprecedented showdown between Magyar’s administration and a network of officials installed during the long tenure of the former Fidesz government, many of whom still occupy influential positions across Hungary’s state institutions despite Orbán’s electoral defeat.

In a strongly worded social media statement, Magyar accused the former ruling Fidesz party, its “puppets,” and “billionaire oligarchs robbing our country” of celebrating too early.

“We are facing an important day,” the prime minister wrote.

TARGETING ORBÁN LEGACY

Magyar said Parliament will receive proposals to establish a National Office for Asset Recovery and Protection, along with a constitutional amendment intended to end what he described as “the power struggle of Orbán’s puppets.”

“I will ask the government and the Tisza party parliamentary group to support the strongest possible version of both proposals,” Magyar wrote. “And after several days of public consultation, these measures can become even stronger.”

Shortly after taking office, Magyar gave President Tamás Sulyok and several other senior officials appointed under Orbán until May 31 to resign voluntarily.

When they refused, the prime minister vowed to amend the Constitution to remove them from office.

OFFICIALS IN CROSSHAIRS

Besides President Sulyok, the planned legislation is expected to affect several prominent officeholders, including Constitutional Court President Péter Polt, Prosecutor General Bálint Gábor Nagy, Kúria President András Zs. Varga, National Judicial Office President György Senyei, State Audit Office President László Windisch, Competition Authority President Csaba Rigó, and National Media Authority President András Koltay.

Supporters of the initiative say the changes are needed to dismantle the remaining power structures built during Orbán’s years in office. Critics argue the move could weaken the independence of institutions designed to act as checks on government power.

Sulyok has indicated he will not leave office without a legal fight.

In a recent interview with Politico, the president said he was prepared to use legal avenues to remain in office and accused Magyar of attempting to gain control over state institutions.

PRESIDENT PUSHES BACK

According to Politico, Sulyok argued that Magyar’s plans could ultimately concentrate more power in the hands of the prime minister than Viktor Orbán ever possessed.

The amendment is expected to trigger intense political and legal debate in the coming days.

With the Tisza party holding a two-thirds parliamentary majority, the government appears to have the votes needed to approve constitutional changes, though the timing of a final vote was not immediately clear Sunday.

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