Hungarian president signs constitutional amendment ending his own term, decries it as a 'disgraceful abuse of political power'

The signature

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok announced on Saturday, 18 July 2026, that he had signed the 17th amendment to the country's constitution, a law that formally ends his term in office. His mandate will expire the day after the signed document is published in the Official Journal. In a Facebook video, Sulyok stated that he had no legal avenue to challenge the amendment, despite its possible conflict with constitutional principles, because the president cannot refer amendments to the Constitutional Court for a substantive review.

My signature represents the final seal on my duties as president and is an expression of my absolute respect for the office in all circumstances.

He said he fulfilled his constitutional duty after carefully weighing the available legal options and acting in accordance with his conscience.

A 'disgraceful' turning point

Sulyok did not withhold criticism. He called the amendment a serious and disgraceful example of historical abuse of political power, a turning point for Hungarian constitutional democracy, and a blow to its fundamental values: democracy, separation of powers, and the rule of law.

The fundamental values of a free society were trampled in the name of political interests. This amendment has de facto put an end to the democratic state governed by the rule of law, born from the legacy of 1956 and the regime change, and has undermined the office of the president's mandate, unchanged since 1990.

Sulyok warned that after the amendment takes effect, the presidency will be subordinated to the executive branch, its role in the legal order will weaken, key functions will disappear, and the office will cease to serve as a checks-and-balances mechanism.

What the amendment does

Parliament adopted the amendment on Monday. It was designed to remove Sulyok, who was appointed by the previous parliament controlled by former prime minister Viktor Orban. The legislation contains 12 points. Among them are a limit of three terms for MPs and the creation of a special office for asset recovery and protection, tasked with recovering funds allegedly misappropriated during Orban's governments.

Sulyok's term had been set to run until March 2029. The Hungarian presidency is largely a ceremonial role, though the incumbent can send laws passed by parliament to the Constitutional Court for review. Current prime minister Peter Magyar had signalled in recent days that the country would soon have a new head of state.

The road ahead

The amendment's publication in the Official Journal will trigger the immediate countdown to Sulyok's departure. The timeline leaves Hungary poised for a swift transition, with the presidency set to be reshaped under the new constitutional framework. The broader institutional shift Sulyok described, a presidency stripped of its balancing function and placed under executive control, will unfold once his successor assumes the role.