Hungary Faces European Scrutiny Over Bid To Remove President

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The Council of Europe’s top constitutional advisory body arrives in Hungary on Thursday to assess a controversial constitutional amendment that would remove President Tamás Sulyok from office, amid growing domestic and international concern over the country’s democratic institutions.

The Venice Commission is expected to meet Hungarian officials as it examines the proposed legislation under a fast-track procedure following a request from Sulyok, who maintains that the government’s effort to remove him is unlawful.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government has defended the proposed reforms, while both the president’s office and the government have said they are willing to meet with the visiting delegation.

The proposed amendment would terminate Sulyok’s presidential mandate well before it is due to expire in 2029.

The European Commission has also said it is closely monitoring Hungary’s constitutional amendment process.

FAST-TRACK REVIEW

A spokesperson for the Venice Commission confirmed the visit but declined to disclose whom the delegation’s experts would meet during their stay in Budapest.

Magyar has repeatedly called on Sulyok to resign, describing him as “Orbán’s puppet” following April’s election, which ended former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16 years in power.

Sulyok has rejected those accusations, insisting the effort to remove him violates Hungary’s Constitution and referring the matter to the Venice Commission for an independent legal assessment.

Magyar says the constitutional changes are needed to dismantle what he describes as the remaining structures of Orbán’s political system after his party’s landslide election victory.

The president’s office confirmed Sulyok is prepared to meet the visiting delegation.

PROPOSED REFORMS

Last week, Magyar announced that his government had formally invited the Venice Commission to Budapest.

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, Sulyok’s mandate would end the day after the legislation enters into force.

The package would also require Constitutional Court judges to retire upon reaching the age of 70 and would limit members of parliament to a maximum of 12 years in office.

The opposition Fidesz party has repeatedly condemned the initiative as unconstitutional and politically motivated, accusing the government of carrying out a political purge.

The Venice Commission’s opinion is expected to play an important role in assessing whether the reforms comply with European democratic standards.

EUROPEAN STANDARDS

The Venice Commission advises Council of Europe member states on constitutional matters and evaluates whether proposed legal changes comply with European standards on democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights.

Although its opinions are not legally binding, they are widely regarded as influential by European institutions and national governments.

The European Commission has said it is closely monitoring developments in Hungary as the constitutional amendment advances.

The Venice Commission is expected to issue its opinion after reviewing the proposed legislation and consulting with Hungarian authorities.

The outcome could influence the broader European debate over constitutional reform and the rule of law in Hungary under Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s new government.

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