Sulyok Signs 17th Amendment Ending His Mandate as Hungary Imposes 12-Year MP Term Limits
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jul 19
Sulyok Signs 17th Amendment Ending His Mandate as Hungary Imposes 12-Year MP Term Limits
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jul 19
Summary
Tamás Sulyok signed Hungary’s 17th constitutional amendment on Saturday, triggering the end of his presidency the day after the law takes effect.
Sulyok said refusing to sign would have been unlawful, but called the measure unprecedented and shameful, accusing the governing majority of abusing power and trampling rule-of-law safeguards.
Ágnes Forsthoffer, speaker of parliament, will serve as interim president until lawmakers elect a new head of state, who can remain in office until a new constitution takes effect, for up to 5 years.
The amendment, passed 139-6 on July 13 after Tisza won a two-thirds majority, also caps parliamentary service at 12 years or 3 terms, sets a 70 age limit for constitutional judges and creates an asset-recovery office.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar says the overhaul is meant to restore constitutional democracy after the Orbán era, while Sulyok cast his forced removal as a warning about institutional independence.
Can Hungary's new leader use absolute power to restore democracy without becoming the strongman he just replaced?
With billions in EU funds unlocked, can Hungary's 'regime change' truly dismantle 16 years of entrenched state corruption?
After Sulyok: Hungary’s 2026 Constitutional Crisis and the Struggle for Rule of Law
Overview
In July 2026, Hungary’s new government removed President Tamás Sulyok after passing the 17th constitutional amendment, citing fears he could block their reforms. The government argued that Sulyok, appointed by the previous administration, might use his powers to hinder change, especially given his authority to sign or review laws. Health Minister Zsolt Hegedűs claimed a 'deep state' had been built over sixteen years to keep the old order’s influence, justifying the president’s removal as necessary to break this hold. This marked the start of sweeping constitutional changes aimed at reshaping Hungary’s political system.