Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s plans to amend the constitution to push out the president, an ally of his predecessor Viktor Orban, drew fresh criticism on Thursday.
Magyar’s government on Monday published a draft amendment to the constitution that would immediately terminate the president’s mandate.
President Tamas Sulyok has refused calls to resign from Magyar, who won more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats in April on promises of “regime change” after Orban’s 16-year rule.
A constitutional amendment — which Magyar’s party can push through parliament as it holds more than two-thirds of the seats — would create a lasting precedent, said prominent political scientist Gabor Torok, citing rule of law concerns.
“When a weapon is placed on the table, it means it can also be used. Once the weapon is used, it is no longer just a possibility, but becomes part of the repertoire,” Torok wrote on Facebook on Thursday.
Magyar commented on Torok’s post, saying “it would not be appropriate to go against the democratic will of the people and the mandate”.
The government has said Sulyok — whom Magyar has described as a “puppet” — faces a “serious loss of confidence”.
But on Tuesday, rights group Amnesty International also criticised the proposed constitution change as “not acceptable,” saying Sulyok was “entitled to due process” and that his removal from office “can only take place with appropriate legal safeguards”.
“If this guarantee does not apply to everyone, then none of us is safe from arbitrariness,” it said. “A genuine change of system can only be achieved in compliance with a fair procedure.”
It also criticised the short public consultation period of five days.
Sulyok has seized the constitutional court and also appealed to the Venice Commission, the Council of Europe’s legal advisory body, arguing Magyar’s calls for his resignation are “incomprehensible” and unconstitutional.
The draft amendment published on Monday also stipulates the creation of a National Office for the Recovery and Protection of Public Assets.
Earlier this week, lawmakers passed anti-corruption measures and a public media overhaul as part of Magyar’s sweeping reform drive.
