Hungary president removal process toughened as parliament approves new law, limiting dismissal ahead of April 2026 elections
Hungary’s parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s nationalist coalition, approved a bill on Wednesday that significantly tightens rules for removing the country’s president from office.
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The legislation was passed just four months ahead of national elections, with Orban facing a strong challenge as opposition leader Peter Magyar and his TISZA party lead in opinion polls.
Current president Tamas Sulyok, a former head of Hungary’s constitutional court and seen as an Orban ally, holds mainly ceremonial powers but can veto laws or send them for constitutional review, enabling him to influence government policy.
Under the previous system, parliament could declare the president unable to perform duties with a simple majority vote.
The new law requires the constitutional court, led by former chief prosecutor Peter Polt, also an Orban ally, to review any attempt at removal and grants it the authority to reject the measure.
Amendments to the legislation will now require a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
The bill passed with 134 votes in favour, 49 against, and two abstentions.
Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said the law addressed “a gap in [the president’s] legal status that could give rise to potential abuse.”
Opposition TISZA party criticised the law, telling independent media outlet Telex that it is “further proof” the government fears losing power in the April 2026 elections.
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Analysts say the law consolidates Orban’s influence over key institutions and raises concerns about checks and balances in Hungary’s political system ahead of a high-stakes election.
